Operation 'Mamba' and drug safety

Written by R. Mulandi
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 12:19


The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has seized 17 different products in the just concluded operation Mamba 3, aimed at dealing with the increasing number of counterfeit medical products. The operation targeted 74 pharmaceutical products across the country, and so far four out of eight cases have been taken to court.


Since 2009, the government has been in a tireless fight against counterfeit drugs in the country, hence the formation of operation Mamba, which began last year, when over 120 pharmaceuticals were inspected, and four suspected counterfeit products seized. Three of those cases have been concluded in court. This year, 17 suspected products have been seized, and the chief of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Kiprich Koskey adds that the war is far from over.


It is due to this increase of counterfeit drugs within the country that the government has adopted more stringent measures, such as gazetting ports of entry for medical products, to help curb the problem.


Unfortunately, Kenya is not the only country dealing with counterfeit drugs. Neighbouring countries such as Rwanda Tanzania and Burundi are also affected. Only recently, several counterfeit drugs stamped with the Government of Kenya's seal were netted in Uganda.


The board, in conjunction with the Kenyan government, are planning on strengthening the penalties for those found guilty of dealing in counterfeit goods.


Kenya officially became the 98th member of the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning the country will now benefit from the organisation's programme of monitoring drug safety.