The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued an urgent public health alert following the detection of falsified and substandard medicines circulating in the Kenyan market.
PPB chief executive officer F.M Siyoi has called for the immediate cessation of distribution, sale, and use of the affected batches, citing serious risks to public health.
Among the flagged products is Augmentin, a commonly used antibiotic. Falsified versions have been identified in the following batches: 8X3K and EU7C.
“In view of the above, the board advises all pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and members of the public to immediately cease further distribution, sale, issuing, or use of the outlined product batch and return the same to their nearest healthcare facility or respective suppliers,” Siyoi said in a statement.
The board also drew public attention to the detection of substandard batches of paracetamol 1000mg/100ml injection.
It named them as Lumidol Injection: Batch Numbers CM4594007, CM4594008, and CM4594009, manufactured by KamlaAmrut Pharmaceutical LLP, India, Blink Injection: Batch Numbers CS4594005 and CS4594004 manufactured by KamlaAmrut Pharmaceutical LLP, India and Paragen injection: Batch Number K4290027, manufactured by KamlaAmrut Pharmaceutical LLP, India.
The board further drew public attention to the detection of product mix-up involving S-Prazo (Esomeprazole 40mg) Batch No. SPZ404.
The board said it was reported and confirmed that that a strip of Levofloxacin 500mg tablets was found in a pack of Esomeprazole 40mg capsules.
Esomeprazole is used to treat conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. On the other hand, Levofloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics.
In view of the mix-up, the board advised all pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and members of the public to immediately cease further distribution, sale, issuing, or use of the outlined product batch and return the same to their nearest healthcare facility or respective suppliers.
The board encouraged the public to report any suspected cases of sub-standard medicines or adverse drug reactions to the nearest healthcare facility or the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
