State publishes list of registered pharmacies, chemists after drug licensing review

The state has published names of registered pharmacies, chemists and agro vets in the country following the review of alcohol and drug licensing in the country.

The lists, shared by the Ministry of Interior, show that the country has 5,245 chemists, 15 vet drugs manufacturers and 96 vet drugs (wholesale) distributors.

Some of the listed chemists that have been certified by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board include; Zuwema Pharmaceuticals, Leevalchem Pharmacy Ltd- Ngong, Lane Chemist, Kwetu Pharmaceutical, Kismat Chemist-mombasa, Kiriaini Mission Hospital and Gabby Pharmacy.

Vet drugs manufacturers that have been approved by the Kenya Veterinary Board include; Aesrhetics Limited, Agrilords Limited, Biodeal Laboratories Limited, CKL Africa Limited, Cosmos Limited, Essential Drugs Limited, Highchem East Africa Limited, Impact Chemicals c/o Bimeda Limited, Kevevapi, Medisel Kenya Limited, Murphy Chemicals EA Ltd, Nerix Pharma Limited, Norbrook Kenya Limited, Ultravetis East Africa Limited and Vetcare Kenya Limited.

Some certified vet drugs (wholesale) distributors are; Adenchem Stores Limited, Aesthetics Limited, Agrikima Limited, Agrilords Limited, Allure Animal Health Limited and Animix Limited.

Others are; Anspa East Africa, APQS Consult Group Limited, Arichem Limited, Atlantis Life Science Limited, Avid Agencies Limited, Bimeda Industrial Area, Biodeal Laboratories Ltd, Bitek Industries EA Limited and Botachem Enterprises Limited.

Last year, the government discovered that unscrupulous vet dealers based along the Kenyan coast had been selling a particular drug to heroin addicts when the drug experienced a major shortage forcing them to look for alternatives.

The drug was reported to manifest in zombie-like symptoms amongst its users and when subjected to toxicological tests, it was found to contain a high dosage of Xylazine, a veterinary animal tranquillizer.

"It's evident that drug users are resulting in the use of multiple substances, especially prescription drugs to complement the available heroin whose potency has over time been proven to be reducing."

"Of greater concern, however, is the discovery that some injecting drug users could be attempting to use animal tranquillizers as an alternative to heroin or an agent to enhance and prolong its potency," Nacada CEO John Muteti said in a press briefing in Mombasa in September.

The government has kicked off a nationwide campaign against drug and substance abuse with a focus on illicit drugs and alcohol that has wrecked multiple lives in parts of central Kenya.

Also being targeted is the illegal sale of shisha in clubs in Nairobi and parts of Mombasa.