Nairobi — Some Kenyans are taking wrong antibiotics and painkillers because of incorrect diagnosis.

About a third and sometimes up to 50 per cent of patients in Africa, Kenya included, are taking the wrong drugs, according to Medical Services minister Anyang' Nyong'o.

"In Africa, up to 75 per cent of antibiotics are prescribed inappropriately and the burden falls mainly on the poor who are not protected by health policies," said Prof Nyong'o.

The minister has in the past complained about a shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers and deteriorating services in public health institutions.

The World Health Organisation recommends a nurse-patient ratio of 200:100,000. Kenya's ratio stands at 50:100,000.

Speaking after opening the fifth meeting of the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum on Monday, Prof Nyong'o said there was a widespread use of the injection and prevalence of unsafe practices which put communities at risk of blood-borne diseases like Hepatitis B and C and HIV.

The minister, however, said counterfeit drugs were no longer a big problem in the country because of a cross-border effort to reduce their prevalence.

Chief Government Pharmacist Kipkerich Koskei said several initiatives to curb the trade in counterfeit drugs in the region had borne fruit.

Fake drugs

The latest operation, which began three months ago and included Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, has just been concluded, he said.

"Working closely with the police, CID and Interpol in these countries, we have been able to reduce significantly the prevalence of fake drugs," said Dr Koskei.

Pharmacists have said the huge number of drugs registered in Kenya made it difficult for the Health ministry to effectively monitor counterfeit drugs.

There are more than 11,000 products registered in Kenya, one of the highest rates in Africa.