Can a chemist sell strong medicine without a prescription?
Pharmacy and Poisons Act; Pharmacy and Poisons Board · sources read 5 Oct 2026
Medicines on Part I of the Poisons List may only be sold by a registered pharmacist from registered premises, and to the public only on a doctor's, dentist's or vet's prescription, a Board-authorised certificate, or to someone the seller knows may properly have them. Selling them any other way is an offence: a fine of up to KSh 100,000, up to 10 years in jail, or both. Antibiotics are Part I poisons, so they need a prescription.
- Where
- Report to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board online at ppb.go.ke/complaint, or at PPB offices, Lenana Road, Nairobi
Steps
- Check that the pharmacist's name and registration certificate are displayed at the chemist, and that a registered pharmacist or enrolled pharmaceutical technologist is present.
- To report a chemist selling medicine unlawfully, use PPB's online complaint form. Your identity will be protected.
Watch out
- Which medicines are Part I poisons is set by the Poisons List made under the Act, not in the Act itself.
- A doctor, dentist or vet may supply medicine directly to their own patient for treatment.
- Antibiotics are Part I poisons on the Poisons List, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Rules list them among medicines to be sold by retail only on a prescription. A chemist selling you antibiotics without one is breaking the law.
Who this covers
- Anyone buying medicine from a chemist or pharmacy in Kenya
Official sources (4)
- PPB: Lodge a complaint ppb.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244), version of 11 December 2023 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Poisons List (Confirmation) Order (L.N. 168 of 1961), version of 31 December 2022 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Pharmacy and Poisons Rules (L.N. 186 of 1957), version of 31 December 2022 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026