Media Reports on Medicines Quality - US Pharmacopeial Convention

Kenya
Antimalarials
Antimalarials,
others
Panadol
(paracetamol)
Approximately 30% of the drug market is counterfeit, according
to the Kenyan Association of Pharmaceutical Industry, who says
that USD $130 million worth of counterfeit pharmaceuticals is
being sold each year.
GlaxoSmithKline, a British pharmaceuticals group, encouraged
the government of Kenya to adopt stricter measures relating to
the importation of counterfeit medicines, which account for
approximately 30% of the pharmaceutical market in the country.
Kenyans spend about Sh 4 billion (USD $64.5 million) annually
on fake medicines. Convicted counterfeiters face fines of up to
only Sh 5,000 (USD $80).
According to Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, the Medical
Services Minister, a nationwide survey conducted by the
Pharmacy and Poisons Board shows that 16% of antimalarial
medications are counterfeit.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has begun cracking down on
illegal drug distribution outlets in Nairobi. Dr. Wilfred Ogutta,
the Deputy Pharmaceutical Inspector, said that the project is
already underway in seven provinces and that 225 outlets have
already been closed down.
Anyang Nyongo, the Medical Services Minister, said that up to
80% of the medicines in Kenya are counterfeit; a large
percentage of these drugs are antimalarials.
Over Sh 5 million (USD $64,000) worth of fake Panadol – a
pain reliever and fever reducer – was destroyed.
Expired and counterfeit medicines were seized in Eldoret Town
and a suspect arrested in a raid conducted by the Pharmacy and
Poisons Board. Some of the seized products were banned while
others had expired nearly 10 years ago.
Keshi, C. Pharmaceutical drug prices and the
problem of fakery. Business Day. February 17,
2008. Available at: www.businessdayonline.com
GlaxoSmithKline urges Kenya to block fake
medicines. Agence France-Presse. April 15, 2008.
Available at: www.afp.com Accessed April 16,
2008
Mbogo, S. Why we are losing the war against
fake drugs. Business Daily. May 1, 2008.
Available at: http://allafrica.com Accessed May 2,
2008
Ngirachu, J. 16 p.c. of malaria drugs fake. Daily
Nation. May 29, 2008. Available at:
www.nationmedia.com/dailynation Accessed
May 29, 2008
Maina, J. Pharmacy Board cracks the whip.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. July 28, 2008.
Available at: www.kbc.co.ke. Accessed Jul 29,
2008
WHO raises fears over high levels of counterfeit
drugs in Kenya. APA News. Sep 4, 2008.
Available at: www.apanews.net Accessed Sep 5,
2008
Fake drugs destroyed. Daily Nation. December
17, 2008. Available at: www.dailynation.com
Accessed: December 17, 2008
Fake and expired drugs seized. Daily Nation. Aug
4, 2009. Available at: www.dailynation.com
Accessed: Aug 4, 2009
© 2003-2012 The United States Pharmacopeial Convention Inc. All rights reserved 6