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Pharmacy and Poisons Board issues alert after 432 adverse drug reaction cases recorded
06th December, 2025 12:02 PM
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a public advisory urging Kenyans to immediately report any unusual effect after taking medicine after a recent report of four hundred and thirty-two drug reaction cases recorded.
In a post on X, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, the board announced that the recent cases involved adults aged between 18 and 64 years.
“PPB received 432 Suspected Adverse Drug Reaction (SADR) reports from 1 July to 30 September 2025, of which 98.61% (426) were new reports. Most cases involved adults aged 18–64 years (72.3%),” PPB said.
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The board further called on Kenyans experiencing itching, rash, nausea, or any unusual effect after taking medicine to immediately report to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
“If you experience itching, rash, nausea, or any unusual effect after taking medicine, report it immediately,” the board added.
Warning against using antibiotics
This follows months after PPB’s issued a public advisory urging Kenyans to refrain from using antibiotics to treat common viral infections such as the cold and flu.
In an advisory issued on Thursday, August 28, 2025, the PPB emphasised that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and should not be used unless prescribed by a healthcare professional for bacterial infections.
The board stated that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections and not the flu or cold, which is caused by a virus.
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According to the board, an individual can easily manage the symptoms of flu by getting adequate rest and ensuring regular hydration.
It further urged Kenyans suffering from cold and flu to consistently eat nutritious food and seek advice from their healthcare professionals on the best symptom-relief mechanisms.
“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, “PPB stated.
“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.
