To enhance the regulation of health products and technologies across Kenya, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has convened a two-day workshop with county pharmacists.
The meeting, which began today in Nairobi, aims to foster collaboration and establish a formal agreement to streamline pharmaceutical operations while ensuring patient safety.
The workshop brings together key county pharmacists and regional regulatory officers to address critical areas such as pharmaceutical transportation, disposal of medical waste, and ensuring that only qualified professionals handle medicines. The discussions will culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), solidifying the commitment between the PPB and county health officials.
Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Dominic Kariuki, Director of Inspectorate and Enforcement at PPB, emphasized the board’s dedication to ensuring health products meet the highest standards.
“The PPB is keen on fostering a collaborative relationship with county pharmacists to ensure that health products and technologies are safe, effective, and accessible to all Kenyans,” said Dr. Kariuki, who represented PPB CEO Dr. F.M. Siyoi at the event.
Among the key areas of focus are the safe transportation of pharmaceuticals, proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste, and the procurement of medicines only from registered practitioners.
The workshop also seeks to promote the employment of qualified pharmaceutical professionals to eliminate unlicensed practitioners and quacks from the sector.
Dr. Kariuki underscored the significance of these efforts, noting that a united approach would help safeguard public health. “By working together, we can ensure that the pharmaceutical sector operates with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, ultimately protecting the health and well-being of all Kenyans,” he stated.
County pharmacists welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that the collaboration would strengthen regulation at the grassroots level. “This partnership with the PPB will empower us to better serve our communities by ensuring that only safe and effective health products are available to the public,” said Dr. Cever Kimathi, chair of the county pharmacists.
The workshop also highlights the importance of timely reporting and removal of substandard or falsified medicines from the market, as well as public education on the dangers of unregulated drugs.
As the two-day event progresses, stakeholders anticipate that the MoU will lay the foundation for continued cooperation, ultimately enhancing Kenya’s pharmaceutical regulatory framework and reinforcing public health safeguards.
