The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned Kenyans against using a counterfeit batch of Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive pills circulating in the Kenyan market.
The regulator said the affected product, Postinor-2 (Levongorgestrel 0.75mg), bears batch number T34197R and falsely claims to have been manufactured by Gedeon Richter Plc.
“The Board detected a falsified POSTINOR-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg tablets) Batch No. T34197R, misleadingly claiming to be manufactured by Gedeon Richter,” the regulator said in a public alert.
According to the PPB, the counterfeit product was identified through its post-marketing surveillance activities, with several differences found between the suspect batch and genuine Postinor-2 supplied by Gedeon Richter.
The differences include the method used to print the batch number, printing and typographical errors in the patient information leaflet and the method used to seal the carton.
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The regulator said genuine Postinor-2 packs use a hot-melt closure, which is absent from the suspected counterfeit product.
PPB also noted that the orange colour used on the brand name and other parts of the packaging is more intense than that of the genuine product. In addition, the logo revealed after scratching the authentication panel uses a different font.
“These observations strongly indicate that the product is falsified and is not manufactured or released by Gedeon Richter,” PPB stated.
Counterfeit Postinor-2 Could Pose Health Risk
The regulator warned that the falsified tablets could pose a health risk to people who use them.
“This batch of falsified Postinor-2 may contain incorrect amounts of the active ingredident, no active ingredient at all, harmful contaminants, or undeclared substances, and therefore may not provide the intended therapeutic effect,” PPB said.
PPB urged healthcare professionals to verify the authenticity of their stocks before dispensing Postinor-2 and to quarantine any products suspected to be counterfeit.
Procurement agencies, hospitals, distributors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists and members of the public have also been urged to immediately report any encounter with the affected batch.
Two Arrested Over Counterfeit Pills
PPB said two people had already been arrested after they were found in possession of the falsified Postinor-2.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the counterfeit pills, how they entered the country and the extent of their distribution in the Kenyan market.
Members of the public who have Postinor-2 bearing batch number T34197R are advised not to use it and should report it to the relevant authorities.
