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[HEALTH] · Kenya · 3 sources

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Kenya Pharmacy Board warns of falsified Lucentis eye injections

falsified medicine Lucentis Pharmacy and Poisons Board Ranibizumab pharmaceutical regulation

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued an alert regarding falsified Lucentis (Ranibizumab) 0.3mg eye injections circulating in the Kenyan market. The counterfeit products, which falsely claim to be manufactured by Genentech, have been identified by batch numbers 18862110 and 18802112.

Regulators identified several discrepancies between the falsified and genuine products supplied by Novartis Overseas Investment AG. While the genuine brand registered in Kenya is Patizra, the counterfeit is labeled Lucentis. Additionally, the fake product uses dark amber vials instead of the clear glass vials used for the authentic medicine. The PPB warned that these falsified injections may contain incorrect active ingredients, no active ingredients, or harmful contaminants.

In response to rising concerns over counterfeit drugs, the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) is advocating for stricter pharmacy licensing requirements. The PSK argues that county permits alone are insufficient and that pharmacies should require direct approval from the PPB to ensure professional and safety standards. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged the public to purchase medications only from licensed, authorized outlets rather than through social media, unverified websites, or informal traders.

Entities

Genentech · Kenya · Mary Muthoni · Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya · Pharmacy and Poisons Board

Claims

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Sources

Gov't Flags Falsified Eye Drug in Kenyan Market [nairobileo.co.ke]
One Arrested as Govt PPB Raises Alarm Over Falsified Eye Drug Found in Kenya [uzalendonews.co.ke]
County Govts Under Pressure as Pharmacists Issue Demands on Fake Medicine [www.kenyans.co.ke]