At least 94 illegal pharmacies have been shut in a joint crackdown in Central and Nairobi regions.

The ongoing joint operation conducted by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the National Police Service commenced on March 26.

The crackdown has seen at least 70 people arrested and charged in court for various offences.

The Head, of enforcement and surveillance at PPB Julius Kaluai, confirmed that 21 pharmacies have been shut in Kiambu, 23 in Murang'a, 17 in Kirinyaga, six in Nyeri, 20 in Nyandarua and seven in Nairobi.

“The list of closed premises shall be periodically updated and shared with the media for the update to the public,” Kaluai said.

“The board seeks the support of the public, National Police Service and the national government administrative organs in monitoring and enforcement of closure notices issued,” he added.

The aim of the joint operation is to inspect and enforce Good Distribution Practices for Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) and to carry out stakeholder engagement and sensitization on the PPB mandate focusing on the key players within Central and Nairobi regions.

The partnership and sensitization programme further aims at addressing the emerging trends of abuse and misuse of controlled and prescription medicines as well as unqualified persons running unregulated pharmaceutical outlets.

Those arrested have been charged with being in possession of part I poisons while not being an authorized seller of poisons contrary to section 26(1)(b) as read with section 26(2) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap. 244 laws of Kenya.

They were also charged with carrying on the business of a pharmaceutical technologist on premises not registered by the PPB and operating the business of a pharmacist without the presence of a registered pharmacist on the premises.