The Pharmacy and Poison Board in Kenya has issued an alert to Kenyans about the presence of a fake batch of a cancer drug on the market.
In a statement on May 28, the board noted that through the post-marketing surveillance activities, the Board identified a falsified batch of Phesgo (Pertuzumab/Trastuzumab).
According to the Board, the falsified drug batch number, C5290520, is currently circulating on the Kenyan market.
“During the course of these surveillance activities, the Board has identified a falsified batch of Phesgo (Pertuzumab/Trastuzumab). Batch Number C5290520, currently circulating in the Kenyan market,” the Pharmacy and Poison Board alert statement read.
Further, the Board emphasized that the batch numbers of the drugs circulating in the market do not correspond to any of the authentic Roche batch numbers.
Contents of the Fake Cancer Drug Batch
In issuing the alert, the Pharmacy and Poison Board described the batch as containing a vial of white powder.
However, the Board has clarified that the original Phesgo is ready to use and is usually opalescent.
In addition, the Board urged the public to check the drug to confirm that the vial they receive contains a colorless or slightly brownish liquid before administering it subcutaneously.
Further, the Board also explained that the original Phesgo is never supplied in powder form and does not require any reconstitution.
Members of the public have been advised to take note that the fake cancer drug batch may contain harmful ingredients, with the health efficiency not guaranteed, and may result in a risk to public health.
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PPB Public Advisory
Members of the public, distributors, and pharmacists have been asked to immediately stop the supplying the fake cancer drug batch under the number C5290520.
In addition, the Board has requested that those who have encountered the Phesgo batch C5290520 report to the Board.
Further, the Board has stated that all stakeholders in the medicine supply chain should procure HPTs only from licensed manufacturers, importers and distributors.
Procurement of any medical batch from an unlicensed supplier or manufacturer, according to the Board, will be considered a violation of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap. 244 of the Laws of Kenya.
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Reporting Falsified Drug Batches
In its commitment to protecting public health, the Board has called upon the public to report any instances of substandard medicine in the market via the PPB online portal at https://pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org/users/mpublic.
When reporting substandard medicine, the reporter will be required to fill in their name, county, relationship, email address, and mobile number.
In addition to the reporter details, the individual reporting will also be required to complete the details of the patients, including the name, gender, date of birth, and age group.
Individuals reporting on the incidence, according to the report directives by the Board, are supposed to select the type of report on whether it is on side effects or poor-quality medicine.
After completing the patient’s details, the individual making the report should also fill in the details of the medicine, vaccine, and the device that caused the reaction.
Before submitting the report, the individual preparing the report is expected by the Board to provide details of the outcome and the effect of the substandard medicine.
Alternatively, the Board has directed that reports can be made through the USSD* 271#, the mPvERS mobile app, email at [email protected] or [email protected], or by calling 0795743049.
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