The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has kick-started a crackdown on individuals and entities circulating a falsified batch of a common drug i the market.
In a statement on Thursday, October 9, PPB CEO Ahmed Mohamed said that the falsified Avastin (Bevacizumab 100MG) injection drug, batch H0573B01, has been falsely purported to have been manufactured by a Swiss-based pharmaceutical and diagnostics company. The drug is used to treat diabetic eye disease and other problems of the retina.
Mohamed said that the board, in collaboration with security agencies, will take legal action against any individual circulating the drug, since it contravenes the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (CAP 244).
The board has encouraged procurement agencies, distributors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, healthcare workers, and the public to ensure that they promptly get in touch with the board through its official communication channels to report the distribution of the drug.
"The board hereby instructs all procurement agencies, distributors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, healthcare workers, and the public to stay alert and promptly report any cases involving the falsified batch of Avastin," PPB stated
"Members of the public and healthcare providers are encouraged to promptly report any suspected substandard and falsified medical products to the PPB through the online portal, USSD Code *271#, mobile app, email, or telephone:0795743049," it added.
The caution comes two months after the Ministry of Health announced a nationwide crackdown on pharmacies selling counterfeit drugs.
Speaking in Nakuru on Wednesday, July 23, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said that the crackdown will counter the accelerating rate of the sale of counterfeit medicines in the country.
Duale said that the PPB would not only take legal action against pharmacies selling the fake drugs, but also those operating without valid licenses or employing unqualified personnel.
For individuals to start distributing drugs, the CS emphasised that individuals should obtain the necessary approval and licenses to avert legal repercussions.
“Do not distribute medicine if you're not a pharmacist, even in shops. All medication prescribed by doctors must be approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board,” Duale said.
“In this country, henceforth, there will be no fake medicine, no quack doctors, and no unqualified pharmacists. If you lack the necessary qualifications and are operating a pharmacy, prepare for the worst,” he added.
