Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Bernard Gitau @benagitau

Kenyans are hoarding chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, after US President Donald Trump claimed it was effective as Covid-19 related medication. 

The Ministry of Health and Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) have however warned Kenyans against such moves because the effectiveness of the drug is yet to be ascertained. 

Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and some antiviral medicines have been selling like hot cake following Trump’s comment.

 Health  Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi has said currently there is no evidence of any Covid-19 vaccine or drugs.

“We have received reports that Kenyans are trying to source these drugs in chemists and hospitals.

We are kindly urging Kenyans not to take chloroquine and think they are safe from Covid-19,” she said.

“We are discouraging Kenyans from sourcing them. Also stop sourcing HIV/Aids drugs and vaccines,” she said.

 PSK president Louis Machogu termed the behaviour irresponsible and reckless in the face of a pandemic that has the potential to be the biggest challenge yet to the country’s health system.

Dr Machogu said hoarding the essential medicines means that patients who depend on them to daily improve their quality of life or those who might eventually get Covid-19 will be adversely affected by the shortage that will ensue. 

 “Furthermore, the public should be aware that possession of prescription only medicines without a valid prescription is illegal and can attract hefty fines and jail time,” he said.

In the same regard, PSK has issued a warning to all pharmacies to observe the law and the PSK Code of Ethics in supplying the aforementioned medicines. 

Flout law

Dr Machogu reiterated that pharmacies which flout the law and those found to be in contravention of the PSK Code of Ethics shall face disciplinary measures by PSK in collaboration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) in the interest of public health and safety. 

On March 19, United States President Donald Trump, during a White House press briefing on coronavirus, surprised some observers in the medical sciences world when he revealed that the US Food and Drugs Administration had approved the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of coronavirus in patients.

Some medical experts say it was not totally accurate, but the FDA had indeed approved coronavirus patient trials of the drugs, which are best known for the treatment of malaria and arthritis.

The decision came after early studies showed that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are effective in inhibiting the disease when tested in vitro with primate cells.

 During the conference, FDA commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn said the regulator is preparing to test the drug in a clinical trial with coronavirus patients.

 On March 20, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, head of World Health Organisation’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, through a televised interview, said there are 20 vaccine trials in regard to Covid-19.