Effect of Counterfeit Drugs on Performance of Independent Community Pharmacies in Nairobi City County
Abstract
The performance of pharmaceutical firms is critical to their sustainability and growth. Worldwide, independent community pharmacies are growing at a rapid pace contributing immensely to the rds global economy. However, the majority of independent community pharmacies in Nairobi City County are victims of counterfeit drugs that threaten their performance. The declining performance of independent community pharmacies has largely been attributed to the influx of counterfeit drugs in the industry, which is yet to be empirically determined. This paper sought to determine the effect of counterfeit drugs on the performance of independent community pharmacies by specifically focusing on the effect of risks associated with counterfeit drugs, the effect of potential legal suits and the role of drug quality control surveillance on the performance of independent community pharmacies in Nairobi County. This paper also established the effect of regulatory policies on counterfeit drugs and the performance of independent community pharmacies in Nairobi County. The study applied the descriptive research design and a population of 423 licensed independent community pharmacies in Nairobi City County was targeted. Data analysis was conducted with the help of the SPSS software program v 25.0. The results also revealed that risks associated with counterfeit drugs and the performance of independent community pharmacies have a negative and significant relationship (β=-.465, p=0.000<0.05), potential legal suits and the performance of independent community pharmacies are negatively and significantly related (β=-.317, p=0.000<0.05) while drug quality control surveillance and performance of independent community pharmacies have a positive and significant relationship (β=-.282, p=0.000<0.05). Test for moderation results also showed that the explanatory power of regulatory policies in the relationship between counterfeit drugs and the performance of independent community pharmacies improved to 60.9% from 59.9 after introducing it implying that regulatory policies moderate the relationship between counterfeit drugs and the performance of independent community pharmacies. The study concludes that risks associated with counterfeit drugs, and potential legal suits badly undermine the performance of independent community pharmacies by damaging their reputation and scaring customers aware. The study further concludes that drug quality control surveillance is essential in ascertaining the quality of drugs and medicines supplied to retailers and consumers. It was also concluded that regulations moderate the relationship between counterfeit drugs and the performance of independent community pharmacies. The study recommends the need for awareness training on counterfeit drugs through workshops, and seminars organized by community pharmacy operators in conjunction with relevant product quality monitoring authorities like the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and Kenya Poisons Board. Community pharmacy operators may then be sensitized about the various risks associated with counterfeit drugs and how they may impact the performance of their business. The study recommends that there is a need for independent community pharmacies to ascertain the credibility of suppliers of drugs and medicines by checking their registration details and license from the Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya Poisons Board. The study recommends that independent community pharmacies may need to have their laboratories fully equipped with reagents to check the quality and credibility of drugs and medicines supplied. The study recommends for enhanced enforcement and implementation of laws and policies relating to drug production, distribution and consumption. Government, producers, distributors and consumers may need to work in collaboration to ensure the effective implementation of relevant drug policies.
Keywords: Counterfeit drugs, independent community pharmacies, Nairobi County
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