In Summary:
- The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a warning concerning a batch of counterfeit Herceptin 440mg (Trastuzumab 440mg) drugs used in treating breast and stomach cancer, recently discovered in Kenya.
- The counterfeit drugs, identified by batch number C5830083, purportedly manufactured by Roche Products Ltd in Germany, have falsified contents, packaging, and labeling, as confirmed by the brand owner. PPB advises against the use, sale, or distribution of this product due to safety concerns.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has sounded an alarm over the presence of a dubious batch of counterfeit Herceptin 440mg (Trastuzumab 440mg) drugs in the Kenyan market, used for breast and stomach cancer treatment.
According to PPB, the counterfeit drugs, marked with batch number C5830083, claim to be manufactured by Roche Products Ltd in Germany, with a manufacturing date of 12/2021 and an expiry date of 11/2024.
In a statement released on Saturday, PPB emphasized, “The public is notified that this specific product batch number C5830083 is a confirmed counterfeit. It is not authorized to be in the market and is a falsified product in view of the falsified contents, packaging and labeling aspects which have been confirmed by the brand owner.”
Consequently, PPB warns against the use, supply, sale, or distribution of the product batch number C5830083 due to uncertainties regarding its safety, quality, and efficacy.
Furthermore, PPB, in collaboration with government investigative agencies, has initiated legal and regulatory actions against individuals suspected of supplying the counterfeit drugs.
“The PPB has initiated a rapid response and heightened surveillance of the market to ensure that safety and public health is protected,” assured PPB.
In addition, PPB highlighted its robust market surveillance and control system, continuously monitoring the quality and safety of medical products in the Kenyan market.
PPB urges both the public and healthcare providers to promptly report any suspicious activities related to suspicious, substandard, or falsified medical products to the agency, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public health.