NAIROBI, Kenya — The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned the public about a falsified batch of Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive pills circulating in the Kenyan market.
The regulator said the suspected counterfeit product, containing Levonorgestrel 0.75mg tablets, carries Batch Number T34197R and falsely claims to have been manufactured by pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter Plc.
Postinor-2 is an emergency contraceptive used to reduce the risk of pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
The PPB said it identified the suspected falsified product through its routine market surveillance activities and subsequently compared it with genuine Postinor-2 supplied by Gedeon Richter.
PPB identifies packaging differences
The regulator said several differences were found between the suspected falsified product and genuine Postinor-2.
Among the discrepancies is the method used to print the batch information. The printing on the suspected falsified product differs from that found on authentic products supplied by Gedeon Richter.
The patient information leaflet also contains several printing and typographical errors, according to the PPB.
The Board further identified differences in how the medicine’s carton is sealed.
Genuine Gedeon Richter Postinor-2 packs use a hot-melt closure, while the suspected falsified product does not have the same type of sealing.
Differences were also noted in the colour of the packaging. The orange colour used around the brand name and other parts of the carton is reportedly significantly more intense on the suspected falsified product than on the genuine medicine.
The PPB also said the font of the manufacturer’s logo revealed after scratching the product’s authentication panel differs from that used on genuine packaging.
“These observations strongly indicate that the product is falsified and is not manufactured or released by Gedeon Richter,” the Board said.
Warning over possible health risks
The regulator warned that falsified medicines can pose serious risks because their contents may not correspond with what is indicated on the packaging.
According to the PPB, the suspected falsified Postinor-2 could contain an incorrect quantity of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, contain no active ingredient, or include harmful contaminants or undeclared substances.
As a result, the product may fail to provide the intended therapeutic effect.
The warning is particularly significant because emergency contraceptives are time-sensitive medicines, meaning failure of a falsified product to provide the intended dose could leave a user unknowingly exposed to the risk of pregnancy.
Public urged to obtain medicines from authorised sources
The PPB urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing medicines and to obtain pharmaceutical products from authorised sources.
Consumers are also encouraged to examine packaging and other identifying features and be alert to unusual differences in printing, sealing, colours, labels or authentication details.
Anyone who encounters a suspected falsified pharmaceutical product should report it to the relevant health and regulatory authorities rather than using or distributing it.
