The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has dismissed claims that 90 per cent of pharmacies in Nairobi are selling illegal drugs.
According to the board, a recent report that sparked concern among Kenyans misrepresented the findings of a study on parallel imported medicines.
In a statement issued on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the regulator took issue with a Daily Nation article titled ‘90% of Nairobi Pharmacies Found Selling Illegal Drugs’, arguing that the headline created the impression that the medicines assessed were illegal, substandard or unsafe for use.
According to the Board, the study, which was conducted between September 2023 and October 2024, reflected the regulatory environment that existed during that period and did not conclude that the medicines posed a danger to patients.
“The medicinal products assessed in the study were approved under this regulatory framework, manufactured by the original manufacturers in compliance with internationally recognised Good Manufacturing Practice standards, and were not found to be substandard, falsified or unsafe for patient use,” the Board said.
According to the regulator, that at parallel importation is a legal mechanism provided for under the Pharmacy and Poisons (Parallel Imported Medicinal Substances) Rules, 2019, to improve the availability and affordability of medicines in Kenya.
Additionally, the board revealed that after introducing the framework and improving access to medicines, it implemented additional regulatory reforms and has not approved any new applications for parallel imported medicinal products since October 2025.
