The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) is calling for tighter rules on the opening and operation of pharmacies amid growing concerns over the sale of falsified medicines in the country.
The society wants pharmacies to get approval from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) before they begin operating, saying a county permit alone does not confirm that an outlet has met the required pharmaceutical standards.
PSK says the approval would allow authorities to check the premises, confirm the professionals running the pharmacy and establish whether the medicines being sold meet the required standards.
The call comes as the Pharmacy and Poisons Board continues to warn Kenyans about falsified medicines entering the market.
On Monday, September 28, the PPB warned the public about falsified Lucentis (Ranibizumab) 0.3mg injections after the products were detected during its post-market surveillance activities.
Lucentis is an eye medicine containing ranibizumab and is administered through an injection into the eye to treat conditions that can cause vision loss.
Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni also raised concerns about fake medicines during a recent meeting with the Kenya Healthcare Federation ahead of the Kenya Public Health International Conference (KEPHIC) 2026.
Muthoni urged Kenyans to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised outlets.
“We have advised members of the public to avoid medicines sold through unverified websites, social media pages, informal traders or other unauthorised outlets, and also check the packaging to ensure the drugs are safe,” she said.
PSK says allowing pharmacies to operate on the strength of county permits without pharmaceutical verification could leave gaps in oversight.
The society wants pharmacies to be inspected to ensure they meet the required standards, including how medicines are stored, handled and supplied to patients.
It also noted that having a local operating permit does not necessarily mean that all medicines stocked by a pharmacy have been cleared by the national pharmaceutical regulator.
The proposed tighter rules would give the regulator greater oversight of pharmacies and help identify outlets that do not meet the required standards.
Kenyans have also been urged to remain cautious when buying medicines and to report suspected falsified or poor-quality products to the relevant authorities.