Doctor under probe for leasing out licence

A pharmacist at Kinango Sub-county Hospital is under investigation for allegedly leasing out his licence to a quack who was arrested last week for selling drugs.

This follows the prosecution of Bernard Ochieng’ (pictured) before Mombasa Resident Magistrate Christine Ogweno on Monday.

Ochieng’ pleaded guilty to charges of operating an illegal pharmacy and being in possession of ecstasy tablets–an illegal, synthetic drug.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board Head of Crime Investigation and Enforcement Unit Dennis Otieno said they were going after the pharmacist in an escalation of the war on the sale of hallucinogenic drugs.

“The doctor who is based in Kwale is under investigation and is likely to face serious charges. We established that his licence was being used by a quack who is unqualified to run a chemist hence putting the lives of Kenyans in danger,” said Dr Otieno.

According to Otieno, the pharmacist risks a jail term of not less than six months and revocation of his licence.

Kwale County Chief Officer Juma Mbete yesterday said they were aware of the investigation and that they will take appropriate action once it is completed