KENYA/UGANDA – Kenya and Uganda have launched a joint initiative to combat the illicit trade of health products, pharmaceutical preparations, medical devices, and equipment.
This collaborative effort, known as Operation African Star, aims to improve health outcomes by disrupting the illicit trade of these products across Africa.
The initiative targets violative shipments of health products, which pose significant threats to global public health.
According to Fred Siyoi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya, the threat posed by illicit trade in health products and technologies is substantial.
Siyoi emphasized that when health products and technologies are obtained outside the unregulated supply chain, safety and efficacy cannot be assured, threatening the East African Community and public health.
This risk increases when health products and technologies are obtained outside the unregulated supply chain, making it crucial to regulate the supply chain to ensure safety and efficacy.
Kenya’s and Uganda’s collaboration has engaged counterpart agencies in the U.S., U.K., and European Union, as well as multinational organizations and regulated pharmaceutical industries.
This multilateral initiative allows the exchange and development of best practices, as highlighted by Medard Bitekyerezo, the Chairman of Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA).
Bitekyerezo noted that the vast array of support generated for this initiative demonstrates the growing recognition that crosscutting partnerships are needed to combat these types of dangerous products effectively.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya has recruited various Kenyan agencies, including 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.
Similarly, the National Drug Authority of Uganda has incorporated the Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, and specialized units of the Uganda Police Force.
Participating international agencies include the European Anti-Fraud Office, the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, the United States Agency for International Development, the Office of Inspector General, the United States Customs and Border Protection, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service.
This extensive network of partners underscores the global nature of the issue and the need for a coordinated response.
Operation African Star aims to improve health outcomes by working collaboratively to understand better and disrupt the illicit trade in health products.
This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and efficacy of health products, thereby protecting public health in East Africa and globally.
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