BY JOHN OYUKE
Kenyan manufacturers have vowed to go court to stop medical services ministry from expanding authority to include control of cosmetics.
Kenya Association of Manufacturers said the move by the ministry to expand its legislative mandate to cover cosmetics, if allowed to stand, would lead to increase cost of doing business and ultimately, prices to consumers.
The association’s Vice-Chairman Mr Polycarp Igathe said there was a growing tendency in the country for Government departments to institute extra levies.
"Now Pharmacy and Poisons Board is following suit. Our only option is to seek court protection," he said in a statement yesterday.
In a Gazette notice signed by Medical Services Minister, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and effective December 31, 2010, Pharmacy and Poisons (Registration of Drugs) Rules 1981 has been amended to cover cosmetics.
The notice, dated November 18, defines cosmetics as "any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion skin, hair, eyes or teeth, and include deodorants and perfumes."
Cosmetic products
Igathe said it is the manufacturers understanding of the gazette notice that all perfumes, deodorants, oral-care products and cosmetic products as defined above would now require by law to be registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
He said the Ministry would charge $4,000 (Sh320, 000) fee for inspecting each manufacturing site outside Kenya from which products are sourced while inspection fee for local factories would be $1,000 (Sh80, 000)
Manufacturers of cosmetic products, according to Igathe, would be expected to pay a $300 (Sh24, 000).
