Pharmacy board closes 70 chemists in Rift Valley

A pharmacist in a chemist in Nairobi. Over 70 pharmacies have been closed down in a crackdown by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board in the Rift Valley region this week. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The crackdown which began on Monday also saw a number of the rogue operators convicted in court, the board told the Nation yesterday.

  • Julius Kaluai, a senior inspector with the board said the process was aimed at ensuring no rogue medicine outlets operate.

  • Tens of people were arrested tens of people who were charged in court were jailed for two years while others will serve three months without the option of a fine.

Over 70 pharmacies have been closed down in a crackdown by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board in the Rift Valley region  this week.

The crackdown which began on Monday also saw a number of the rogue operators convicted in court, the board told the Nation yesterday.

“We conducted a crackdown in the Rift Valley region and arrested tens of people who were charged in court. Two were jailed for two years while others will serve three months without the option of a fine,” said Julius Kaluai, a senior inspector with the board.

ROGUE OUTLETS

The board targeted pharmacists operating without licenses and quacks selling medicine to the public.

Addressing the media at their offices in Nakuru town, Mr Kaluai said the process was aimed at ensuring no rogue medicine outlets operate. He urged the public to stop defending those operating pharmacies illegally.

“The public should be at the forefront in the fight as they are the ones at risk,” Mr Kaluai said.