Kenya Pharmaceutical Association (KPA) has refuted claims of misinformation concerning the Kenya Drugs Authority Bill,2022.
The Bill is currently at the Second reading at the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health.
Speaking to the press in Eldoret town Eric Wanjara Kenya Pharmaceutical Association, North Rift Branch said it’s sad that there is misinformation and lies being propagated to the Public Pharmacists under their Umbrella the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK).
“We affirm that the Committee’s thorough consideration has yielded a report that is conducive to the greater public good. This is particularly significant for the widespread accessibility of Pharmaceutical commodities and services, a critical need for citizens across the 47 Counties,” he said.
They stated that there are two cadres recognized by Cap 244 laws of Kenya Part II sec 6 under the registration of Pharmacist, Pharmacist 2) Pharmaceuticals Technologist.
“There is no such cadre as the Pharmacy technicians; Kenya does not train Pharmacy technicians as some quarters are advancing this misinformation. Pharmaceutical Technologies are adequately trained 3 years and 7 months supervised internship,” he added.
Gichane noted that they are not claiming to be equal with pharmacists at all but they are only asking that the law recognizes and anchors their practice accordingly without unfair administrative action.
“80 percent of the pharmacy workforce in both private and private and public sector is provided by the pharmaceutical Technologist. In the year 2023, the Pharmacy and Poisonous Board has licensed 1,584 pharmacists and 6,985 pharmaceutical technologists to practice in the Republic of Kenya. This presents a very high shortage of pharmacy professionals in Kenya to adequately cover: Government facilities (Level 2 – level 6) -6678, Faith Based Organizations – 1084, Private – 6900, and in over 6,800 community pharmacies/chemists,”the North Rift Branch boss said.
He noted Pharmaceutical Technologists own and run over 80% of the community pharmacies/chemists in Kenya, providing much-needed pharm care such as handling of scheduled substances and enhancing last-mile access to health as envisaged under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as well as primary Healthcare’s goal of preventive and promotive healthcare.
Only about 300 pharmacists are in community pharmacies.
“Pharmaceutical technologies are not the hindrance to achieving maturity Level 3 certification by WHO Maturity Level 3 is the mark of a stable,well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system.it is not about cadres and the practice of pharmacy,” he said.
He said that approving the bill with the amendment from the National Assembly Health Committee will be a win for the Wanjiku and will augment the promotion of Universal Health Coverage and that they support the Health Committee report without further amendments:
“In view of the above, we urge the Honorable Members of the National Assembly to safeguard the interest of the public by supporting the bill with the amendment as per the report of the Departmental Health Committee on Health and reject any other amendments/modifications presented by any other party,” he added.