Kenyan government reveals increase in counterfeit drugs

The Kenyan government has revealed that there has been an increase in counterfeit drugs entering the country, including antibiotics and Viagra.

Nicholas Muraguri, director of medical services at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, reportedly said that an investigation had shown an “influx” of counterfeit drugs.

According to Kenya-based news website Coastweek.comMuraguri told reporters in capital city Nairobi that unscrupulous traders had “circumvented” regulations to flood the market with “cheap and contraband” drugs.

He said: "It has come to our attention that counterfeit drugs have flooded the market but the government has strengthened its oversight role to protect consumers.”

Aided by state of the art technology, the government is hoping to crackdown on the trade of counterfeit drugs, Coastweek.com reported.

Muraguri added: "Several mobile-based platforms are already operational to help trace the source and destination of sub-standard drugs. So far, we have managed to net culprits thanks to technology and cooperation between consumers and police.”.

The government is also reportedly working with local pharmaceutical companies in order to prevent counterfeits from coming into the country.