The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya and the National Drug Authority of Uganda have partnered with international stakeholders to protect consumers from illicit medical products.
The collaboration between Kenya and Uganda has engaged counterpart agencies in the U.S., U.K. and the European Union, as well as multinational organisations and regulated pharmaceutical industry.
The initiative known as Operation African Star targets violative shipments of health products.
Operation African Star aims to improve health outcomes by working collaboratively to better understand and disrupt the illicit trade in health products, pharmaceutical preparations, medical devices, and equipment across Africa.
Chief Executive Officer of the PPB Fred Siyoi said the threat posed by illicit trade in health products and technologies impacts global public health.
“This risk increases when health products and technologies are obtained outside of the unregulated supply chain. Safety and efficacy which cannot be assured threaten the East African Community and public health at large," Siyoi said.
The Chairman of the NDA Medard Bitekyerezo said a multilateral initiative like Operation African Star allows them to exchange and develop best practices.
“As evidenced by the wide array of support generated for this initiative, there is a growing recognition that crosscutting partnerships are needed to effectively combat these types of dangerous products,” he said.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Kenya has brought on board the Kenya Revenue Authority, Immigration Services, Anti-Narcotics, National Intelligence Services, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Airports Authority, the Post Master General, Communication Authority of Kenya and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority.
On the other hand, the National Drug Authority, Uganda has incorporated the Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and the specialised units of the Uganda Police Force.
Participating international agencies include the European Anti-Fraud Office; United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office; United States Agency for International Development, Office of Inspector General; United States Customs and Border Protection; United States Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service; and the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service.
