Pharmacies in Nairobi: How to Find a Licensed Chemist
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Need a chemist in Nairobi? Nairobi has hundreds of licensed pharmacies, from big chains in the malls to small chemists in every estate. The bad news is that some outlets operate without a licence, and fake or substandard medicine is a real problem. The good news is that you can check any pharmacy against the official register in a few minutes, before you hand over your money or your health.
Our old list of pharmacies in Nairobi was compiled years ago and many of its phone numbers and locations are out of date, so we have replaced it with the official way to find and confirm a licensed pharmacy.
Where to Find the Official List of Licensed Pharmacies
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is the government body that licenses pharmacies in Kenya. It keeps the official register of licensed premises and updates it as licences are approved, suspended or revoked. PPB has warned Kenyans to ignore “lists of pharmacies” shared on social media and to use its website instead.
How to Check if a Pharmacy in Nairobi Is Licensed
- Open the PPB register of retail pharmacies: practice.pharmacyboardkenya.org/LicenseStatus.
- Type the pharmacy’s name in the search box (use the name on its signboard or receipt).
- Check that the pharmacy appears and that its licence status is current.
- At the counter, look for the PPB premises licence on the wall. Licences carry a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone to confirm the licence is genuine.
You can use the same register to confirm that the person serving you is a registered pharmacist or pharmaceutical technologist: choose “Search Pharmacist” or “Search PharmTech”.
Looking for other health services in the city? See our list of emergency contacts in Nairobi.
Tips for Buying Medicine Safely
- Only buy prescription medicines (such as antibiotics) with a prescription from a qualified health worker.
- Check the expiry date and that the pack is sealed and not damaged.
- Ask for a receipt with the pharmacy’s name on it.
- If you have SHA cover, ask your hospital or clinic whether it is contracted by the Social Health Authority. SHA publishes its list of contracted facilities.
Suspect a pharmacy is unlicensed or selling fake medicine? Report it to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on +254 709 770 100 or info@ppb.go.ke. In an emergency, go straight to the nearest hospital. See our list of Kenya emergency contacts.
