The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has cautioned Kenyans against the misuse of antibiotics in the treatment of common viral infections such as colds and flu.
In a statement on Thursday, August 28, the regulator warned that antibiotics are ineffective against viral illnesses and urged the public to adopt proper health practices instead.
"Got a cold or flu? No antibiotics needed. If you're suffering from a viral infection like the cold or flu, you can feel better without antibiotics.
"What to do? Rest and stay hydrated, eat nutritious food and ask your healthcare professional for advice on symptom relief. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses. Let’s use them responsibly," the statement read.
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This comes a week after PPB raised alarm over the off-label use of Semaglutide-containing compounds for weight loss, warning Kenyans about serious health risks associated with unsupervised use of the prescription diabetes medication.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 19, the national medicines regulatory authority issued a comprehensive safety alert addressing growing concerns about the misuse of the drug commonly known to the public as Ozempic.
The PPB, established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act as Kenya's National Medicines Regulatory Authority, emphasized its mandate to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of health products and technologies nationwide.
"The Board wishes to bring to the attention of the public that Semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes," the statement reads.
The regulatory body specifically noted that Semaglutide is approved for treating adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus that remains insufficiently controlled through other means.
However, safety concerns have emerged particularly when the medication is used outside its approved medical purposes.
According to the PPB's safety alert, typical side effects of Semaglutide misuse include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), eye conditions, acid reflux, nausea, and intestinal obstruction.
