At least 43 people have been arrested after the Pharmacy and Poisons Board launched a crackdown on illegal and substandard chemists in Nairobi.
The Thursday morning crackdown led to closure of 80 chemists which didn't meet the required standards set for them to operate.
Confirming the closure of the chemists and arrests, Senior inspector of drugs Julius Kaluai noted that those arrested have been operating illegally.
“This is a joint operation alongside the police and the office of the regional commissioner and we were implementing the mapping they had given us,” opined Kaluai.
Kaluai called on Kenyans to be alert not to purchase drugs from unauthorised chemists.
He pointed out that authorised chemists have health code banners which show that the chemist is allowed to operate by the board.
The 43 who were arrested were taken to court and 33 of them fined between Sh200,000 and 380, 000. The other ten pleaded not guilty.
Kaluai revealed that the crackdown is a continuous process and it is expected to take place across the country.