Miraa Amendment Bill Faces Fierce Resistance From Pharmaceutical Society Of Kenya

The leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya's Coast branch has expressed firm opposition to the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Bill, 2024 currently under consideration by the Senate. Murtaza Mohamed, chairperson of the PSK Coast branch, highlighted that the proposed legislation seeks to exclude cathinone and cathine substances found in miraa from being categorized as psychotropic substances. He cautioned that these substances can pose serious health risks to individuals. Mohamed further noted that the amendment appears to prioritize the economic interests of the miraa industry, which provides essential livelihoods for many Kenyans.

He said in a statement, “The Bill argues that the classification of these substances as psychotropic by the National Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse  negatively impacts the market for miraa despite governmental efforts to boost the sector. However, the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya strongly oppose this amendment because it contradicts both the Kenyan constitution and international conventions to which Kenya is a party.”

The miraa crop is globally acknowledged as a psychotropic substance with potential adverse effects on mental health. Mohamed cautioned that excluding these substances from the controlled substances list could result in heightened abuse and related health concerns, ultimately burdening the government with increased public health expenditures. He added, “We would like to caution that deregulating cathinone and cathine might lead to an influx of both natural and synthetic derivatives, complicating enforcement and public health efforts.”

Mohamed pointed out that although the proposed legislation aims to enhance the miraa industry by relaxing regulations on its psychoactive elements, it is met with substantial resistance due to health risks and possible violations of international law. He emphasized that gaining access to the international market for miraa would necessitate addressing these concerns at the United Nations level, rather than making unilateral legislative adjustments.