The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned Kenyans against counterfeit cancer medication in circulation globally, saying the falsified drugs contain no active ingredients and pose a serious risk to patients.
In a statement released on Wednesday 31 December 2025, the board stated that fake versions of IBRANCE, a breast cancer drug are circulating in several countries.
According to PPB, the fake pills contain absolutely nothing that can treat cancer.
Nine batches of the counterfeit medicine have been identified worldwide, with specific identification numbers flagged as dangerous in Lebanon, Ivory Coast, Turkiye, Egypt, and Libya.
The fraudulent products claim to be made by Pfizer, a major pharmaceutical company, but tests show they are completely fake.
Laboratory checks confirmed the counterfeit drugs have zero active ingredients, making them useless for patients fighting cancer.
The alert was announced on December 31, 2025, by the Board’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ahmed I. Mohamed.
"These products are therefore unsafe for use and pose a serious risk to patient safety and public health," the statement read.
The fake medicines have specific features that help identify them, including spelling mistakes on labels and poor-quality printing.
Some bottles show security seals with the Pfizer logo printed in unusual black ink instead of the standard design.
The capsules themselves are marked incorrectly or have strange colors like bright orange, which genuine products never have.
PPB wants hospitals, pharmacies, distributors, and ordinary citizens to report any suspicious batches immediately through multiple channels including a, USSD code *271#, or direct phone call via 0795743049.
So far, none of these fake batches have been found in Kenya, but the warning serves as a preventive measure.
The board stressed that buying medicine from unlicensed sellers breaks the law and endangers lives.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board stressed that it continues to monitor all health products entering Kenya to protect citizens from dangerous counterfeit medicines.
