The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) has urged county governments to ensure pharmaceutical outlets secure valid licences before being allowed to operate.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 25, to mark World Pharmacists Day 2026, the society clarified that a county-issued Single Business Permit does not authorise an individual to practise pharmacy or operate a pharmaceutical premises.
PSK maintained that the regulation of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical facilities falls under the national regulatory framework.
“A County Government business permit is not a licence to practise pharmacy. The statutory regulation of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical premises belongs within the national pharmaceutical regulatory framework,” the society stated.
The lobby called on county governments to strengthen cooperation with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to harmonise licensing and compliance procedures.
According to PSK, closer coordination would help authorities identify and shut down unlicensed outlets while removing unqualified individuals from providing pharmaceutical services that could endanger the public.
The society also raised concerns about what it described as an uneven regulatory environment, arguing that licensed professionals should not be subjected to tougher requirements while unlicensed outlets and unqualified practitioners continue operating.
“County revenue collection must never inadvertently legitimise an unlawful pharmaceutical outlet,” PSK warned.
The society further highlighted concerns over the deployment, utilisation and distribution of pharmacists across the country, saying the overall number of professionals was not necessarily the main challenge.
PSK said Kenya has more than 5,600 pharmacists, but only about 2,800 currently renew their annual practice licences.
It also called for greater focus on underserved areas, saying access to pharmaceutical care should be assessed based on the availability of professional services rather than simply the number of pharmaceutical outlets.
The appeal comes as the Ministry of Health and PPB intensify efforts to tackle counterfeit and substandard medicines.
PSK urged Kenyans to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised pharmaceutical outlets to reduce the risks associated with unsafe or unregulated drugs.
