The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a directive halting the sale, importation, and distribution of pharmaceutical products referencing the Indian Pharmacopeia (IP), citing non-compliance with Kenyan regulations. The board’s Chief Executive Officer, Felix Siyoi, announced the ban, raising concerns over the rising influx of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the local market.
In an official statement, Siyoi stressed that the Indian Pharmacopeia is not recognized within Kenya’s drug registration framework. Consequently, any products citing this standard are deemed unregistered and prohibited for importation or trade in the country.
“The Board’s attention has been drawn to an increasing influx of unregistered pharmaceutical products in the Kenyan market, particularly those referencing the Indian Pharmacopeia (IP). Note that any pharmaceutical product that is not duly registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board is strictly prohibited for importation, distribution, sale, or handling in Kenya,” he stated.
The PPB emphasized the need for strict adherence to Kenya’s regulatory framework, warning stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry of severe penalties for non-compliance. Actions against violators may include the seizure of products, revocation of licenses, and possible prosecution under the law.
Siyoi highlighted the regulator’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that Kenyans have access to quality, safe, effective, and affordable health products. “The Indian Pharmacopeia is not within the purview of drug registration requirements in the country, and as such, products citing this standard are not compliant with Kenyan regulations,” he stressed.
This development underscores the PPB’s resolve to safeguard public health through stringent enforcement of pharmaceutical standards. The board announced plans to intensify market surveillance and enforcement activities to curb the influx of unauthorized products.
The directive calls on pharmaceutical companies, importers, and distributors to ensure that all products meet the regulatory requirements of the PPB before entering the Kenyan market. It also urges consumers to verify the registration status of pharmaceutical products to protect themselves from unregulated and potentially harmful drugs.
With the healthcare industry increasingly facing challenges posed by counterfeit and unregulated products, the PPB’s move marks a significant step in tightening oversight and maintaining the integrity of the Kenyan pharmaceutical market.
This ban serves as a reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance in promoting public health and protecting consumers from substandard products.
