The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued an alert cautioning Kenyans against purchasing Iodixanol and the Paracetamol oral solution.
Visipaque (Ioxidanol) is a medical contrast dye used during X-rays and CT scans to help doctors see blood vessels and organs more clearly. It's injected into your body briefly and then flushed out.
Paracetamol oral solution is a liquid medicine used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It's taken by mouth and is especially helpful for children or adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets.
In a statement, the board confirmed that it had received worrying concerns and complaints in regard to the defects of Visipaque (Iodixanol) 320 mg/ml and Tamedol oral solution (Paracetamol oral solution, 120mg/5m).
“The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has received several complaints regarding quality defects and suspected adverse events associated with suspected substandard and falsified (SF) batches of Visipaque (Iodixanol) 320 mg/mL vial” read part of the statement.
As such, the agency also cautioned pharmacies against distributing the two drugs.
“In an effort to safeguard public health and safety, healthcare facilities in possession of these affected product batches are urged to immediately quarantine the products and report to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board offices for further guidance and necessary action.”
According to the board, the medicine(Iodixanol) was smuggled into the country by unscrupulous traders who had not acquired approval. Further, the Paracetamol oral solution manufactured by a Kenyan company failed to meet the prescribed market authorization requirements.
To that end, the board has advised Kenyans who have already purchased the drugs to return them to the nearest health facility.
The PPB strongly cautioned the public against engaging in any form of trade either in wholesale or retail, issuance, dispensing, or using it, warning of serious health repercussions for users who fail to heed the warning.
PPB vowed to take legal action against people found distributing the drugs.
“Any person found handling or distributing these products will be subject to legal action.”
PPB has since recalled the product in line with Section 3A(i) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244).
