The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a public alert over the circulation of a falsified batch of Avastin (Bevacizumab 100mg Injection) in the Kenyan market.
According to the Board, the fake batch, number H0573B01, falsely claims to be manufactured by Roche. The drug is used in cancer treatment and other medical conditions.
In a statement, the PPB said it had identified the falsified batch and warned that it poses serious risks to patient safety.
The Board instructed procurement agencies, distributors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, healthcare workers, and the public to stay vigilant and report any suspected cases involving the fake product.
“All stakeholders in the supply chain are advised to source health products and technologies exclusively from licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers,” the Board said.
“Obtaining products from unlicensed sources endangers patient safety and will result in strict regulatory and legal consequences.”
The PPB emphasized that it is working closely with Government Investigative Agencies to take legal and regulatory action against any individual or organization found to be involved in the circulation of the falsified batch.
The Board also reminded stakeholders that circulating fake medicines violates the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap 244), which regulates pharmaceutical products in Kenya.
To ensure patient safety, the PPB urged healthcare providers and members of the public to report any suspected falsified or substandard medicines through its reporting channels.
Reports can be submitted online via the PPB portal at https://pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org/users/mpublic or through the USSD code *271#.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is Kenya’s national regulatory authority mandated to protect and promote public health by ensuring access to quality, safe, and effective medical products.
The warning comes as part of the Board’s ongoing efforts to safeguard patients from counterfeit and unsafe medical products circulating in the market.