Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a strong appeal to pharmacists and chemists, urging them to adhere strictly to professional standards and regulations. He emphasized the importance of dispensing drugs responsibly and maintaining accurate records.
In his recent address, Gachagua highlighted the critical role pharmacists play in safeguarding public health. “I want to call upon all those professionals who run pharmacies and chemists to live up to your oath and just do the right thing,” he urged. “Please don’t dispense drugs over the counter that are supposed to be dispensed upon a prescription. Again, let us keep a good record of all drugs that we dispense.”
Gachagua’s remarks come amid growing concerns about the proliferation of unlicensed pharmacies and the illegal sale of prescription drugs without proper authorization. He underscored the need for licensed establishments to lead by example, maintaining high standards of practice and ensuring that all medications are dispensed according to regulations.
Expressing concern about unqualified individuals operating illicit pharmacies, Gachagua stated, “There are many, many other quacks who have opened pharmacies and chemists that are not licensed and that are not run by professionals,” highlighting the potential risks to public health from such practices.
To address this issue, the Deputy President called for a collaborative effort between professional pharmacists and government authorities. “I want to request that you, as society, work with us,” he said, proposing partnerships between pharmacists and county security and intelligence teams. This collaboration aims to “crack down on illicit pharmacies and chemists, destroy the drugs, and take the people who are running them to jail where they belong.”
Gachagua’s call to action underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that all pharmacies and chemists operate within the legal framework and adhere to the highest standards of professionalism. By doing so, the Deputy President hopes to protect the public from the dangers posed by unregulated and improperly managed drug dispensaries.
As the government intensifies its efforts to regulate the pharmaceutical industry, licensed pharmacists are being urged to support these initiatives and contribute to the overall goal of ensuring safe and effective medication distribution across the country.