The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned the public about a falsified batch of Postinor-2 (P2) emergency contraceptive circulating in the Kenyan market.
In a public alert issued on August 7, the regulator said it had identified a counterfeit Postinor-2 product labelled as containing 0.75mg tablets and bearing batch number T34197R. The product falsely claims to have been manufactured by Gedeon Richter Plc.
The suspected counterfeit was identified through the board’s post-marketing surveillance programme, which monitors health products circulating in the Kenyan market and supports regulatory action against unsafe or falsified products.
According to the PPB, a comparison with genuine Postinor-2 products supplied by Gedeon Richter revealed several differences in the packaging and presentation of the suspected fake.
Among the differences was the method used to print the batch number. The patient information leaflet also contained several printing and typographical errors that were not found on genuine products.
The board further noted differences in the way the carton was sealed. Genuine Postinor-2 packs use a hot-melt closure, while the suspected falsified product did not have the same type of seal.
There were also visible differences in colour. The orange used on the brand name and other sections of the packaging was significantly more intense on the suspected counterfeit than on genuine products.
The PPB said further differences were identified after the authentication panel on the package was scratched, with the logo and font differing from those used on genuine packs.
“These observations strongly indicate that the product is falsified and is not manufactured or released by Gedeon Richter,” the board said.
The regulator warned that falsified medicines may contain incorrect quantities of active ingredients, no active ingredient at all, harmful contaminants or undeclared substances. As a result, they may fail to provide the intended therapeutic effect.
The PPB urged consumers and healthcare professionals to remain vigilant and report suspected falsified medicines through official channels.
It also advised the public to obtain medicines only from authorised sources to reduce the risk of purchasing counterfeit or unsafe products.
