Gov't Issues Alert Over Falsified Injection Circulating in Kenyan Market

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has raised an alarm over a counterfeit batch of cancer medication circulating in the Kenyan market, warning stakeholders to stay alert and report suspicious cases immediately.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 9, the Board identified a falsified batch of Avastin (Bevacizumab 100 mg) Injection, Batch Number H0S73B01, falsely claiming to be manufactured by Roche.

The regulatory authority has instructed all procurement agencies, distributors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, healthcare workers, and the general public to remain vigilant and promptly report any cases involving the falsified batch of Avastin.

According to the notice, all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain have been advised to source Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) exclusively from licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers.

In a stern warning, the Board announced that, in collaboration with Government Investigative Agencies, it will institute legal and regulatory actions against any individual or entity involved in the circulation of the falsified batch.

Members of the public and healthcare providers are encouraged to promptly report any suspected substandard or falsified medical products through designated channels.

The alert comes just days after the Board stated on Saturday, October 5, that it addressed concerns about the availability and quality of medicines in Kenya.

In that earlier statement, the Board dismissed false and misleading claims circulating on social media alleging that it intended to "block over 21,000 medical products" from being imported into Kenya, supposedly placing the country "on the brink of a medicines crisis."

The Board clarified that, contrary to these allegations, there is no blockade of medicines in Kenya. It revealed that approximately 9,000 registered medical products have been duly retained, meeting national and international safety, efficacy, and quality standards.

The regulatory authority explained that, in line with global best practices and as required under the Pharmacy and Poisons (Registration of Health Products and Technologies) Rules, 2022, all marketing authorizations are subject to renewal every five years.

The Board stated that this renewal process enables it to confirm that only products meeting current international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy remain on the Kenyan market.