Nassir moves to tame illegal prescription drug sales in Mombasa

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir before the Senate CPIC Committee at Bunge Towers, Nairobi. November 25th, 2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir is a man on mission.

He on Tuesday this week launched a bold campaign to curb the illegal sale of prescription drugs in the county.

In a proposal submitted to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Nassir recommended that chemists operate strictly for pharmaceutical purposes, with stricter regulations and routine inspections conducted in partnership with national enforcement agencies.

‘’We’re taking the fight to the source of prescription drug abuse. No more illegal sales in our neighbourhoods. This ends now—and I’ll see it through to the very end,’’ said the governor.

“Prescription drug abuse is robbing our communities of their youth, tearing apart families, and fueling a silent public health crisis.”

As part of the proposal, Nassir wants to collaborate with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the National Police Service.

The plan would restrict the sale of certain drugs to pharmacies located within Level 4 hospitals and above.

“No more backdoor sales. No more neighbourhood pharmacies acting as drug dens,” he said.

In response, Duale welcomed the initiative, calling it a timely intergovernmental collaboration to address public health threats. He promised to review the proposal and consider its adoption at the national level.