The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a public alert over a falsified batch of Lucentis (Ranibizumab) 0.3mg injection circulating in the Kenyan market and confirmed the arrest of one person found in possession of the suspected product.
In a notice dated September 24, 2026, and signed by Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed I. Mohamed, the regulator said the falsified injection bears batch numbers 18862110 and 18802112 and falsely claims to have been manufactured by Genentech.
The PPB said the product was detected through its post-marketing surveillance activities, which monitor health products and technologies circulating in the country.
Differences Identified
Following a comparison with the genuine product supplied by Novartis Overseas Investment AG, the Board identified several differences between the suspected falsified injection and the registered product.
According to the PPB, the suspected product is labelled Lucentis, while the brand registered in Kenya is Patizra. Its label indicates 0.3mg, whereas the registered product is labelled 10mg/mL.
The suspected product is also packaged in a dark amber vial, unlike the genuine product, which comes in a clear glass vial. The batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date also differ from those appearing on the genuine product.
The regulator warned that falsified medicines may contain incorrect quantities of active ingredients, no active ingredient at all, harmful contaminants or undeclared substances. Such products may therefore fail to provide the intended therapeutic effect and could pose risks to patients.
One Person Arrested
The PPB said it is working with government investigative and enforcement agencies, with the collaboration resulting in the arrest of one individual found in possession of the falsified product.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the injection, its point of entry into Kenya and the extent to which it may have been distributed through the supply chain.
The Board further warned that it will take regulatory and legal action against individuals or entities involved in the manufacture, importation, distribution or supply of falsified health products.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
Healthcare professionals have been urged to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of their stocks before dispensing medicines and quarantine any products suspected to be falsified.
Procurement agencies, hospitals, distributors, healthcare workers and members of the public have also been asked to immediately report any encounter with the affected batches.
The PPB reminded all players in the pharmaceutical supply chain to purchase health products only from Board-licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, while maintaining proper records of their transactions.
The regulator cautioned that sourcing medicines from unlicensed outlets can endanger patients and contravene the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap 244 of the Laws of Kenya.
Members of the public and healthcare professionals can report suspected falsified or substandard medicines through the PPB's online pharmacovigilance portal or the mPvERS mobile application, available on Android and iOS.
