By Sandra Blessing
Residents of Nyanza have been warned to be aware of a possible rise in Amitraz poisoning during the planting season.
The warning came as farmers across the region enter a busy season.
Pharmacists at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) have urged the public to take greater care when handling chemicals used in agriculture and livestock.
The warning came during a Continuing Medical Education (CME) held at JOOTRH celebrations to mark World Pharmacists Day 2026, which brought together pharmacists, healthcare workers and partners to reflect on the profession’s role in protecting patients and communities.
The 2026 World Pharmacists Day theme, “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures,” highlights the importance of equipping pharmacists with the skills and support needed to improve health outcomes.
A key presentation during the CME focused on Amitraz poisoning, an emerging concern particularly relevant during the farming season. Amitraz is commonly used by livestock farmers to control ticks, but accidental or intentional ingestion can result in poisoning.
The concern was brought closer to home by a recent case at JOOTRH involving a pregnant woman who had ingested Triatix, an Amitraz-based product used in livestock tick control.
The case highlighted the important role pharmacists play when a patient arrives after exposure to a potentially toxic substance.
By helping identify the substance involved, pharmacists can support clinicians in determining appropriate management while also ensuring medicines are administered safely.
“Pharmacists play a key role in patient safety. It is not just about dispensing medicines; it is about making sure the patient receives the right medicine, at the right dose and at the right time,” the presentation noted.
The CME also highlighted the need for JOOTRH to establish a poison centre within the hospital. Such a centre would provide readily available information and guidance on different poisons and toxicological emergencies, helping healthcare workers respond more quickly when every minute matters.
The message was simple: chemicals meant to protect livestock, if handled or stored carelessly, can become dangerous. Keeping such products safely away from children, food and people who may accidentally ingest them can help prevent avoidable emergencies.
The pharmacist’s role extends beyond the pharmacy counter—from safeguarding medicines to helping communities navigate some of the hidden dangers around them.
