Kenya's Poisons Board Warns of Counterfeit Emergency Contraceptive Pills
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has identified a fake batch of Postinor-2 pills with batch number T34197R, citing packaging flaws and potential health risks.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has identified a fake batch of Postinor-2 pills with batch number T34197R, citing packaging flaws and potential health risks.
· Updated
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a public alert warning Kenyans about a counterfeit batch of Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive pills in the market. The falsified product, bearing batch number T34197R, misleadingly claims to be manufactured by Gedeon Richter Plc.
The PPB detected the fake pills through post-marketing surveillance and noted several differences from the genuine product. These include variations in the batch-number printing, typographical errors in the patient leaflet, a different carton sealing method, a more intense orange color on the packaging, and a different font on the authentication panel's logo.
The regulator warned that the counterfeit tablets could pose a significant health risk. They may contain incorrect or no active ingredient, harmful contaminants, or undeclared substances, potentially failing to provide the intended contraceptive effect.
Healthcare professionals have been urged to verify stocks and quarantine any suspected products. The PPB has called on procurement agencies, distributors, pharmacists, and the public to report any encounters with batch T34197R. KBC reports that two people have been arrested in connection with the falsified pills, and investigations into their source and distribution are ongoing.
FAQ
What is the batch number of the counterfeit Postinor-2 pills?
The counterfeit pills identified by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board bear batch number T34197R.
What should someone do if they find these pills?
The PPB urges the public and healthcare providers to immediately report any encounter with the affected batch to the authorities.
