PPB sounds alarm over fake Lucentis eye injection in Kenyan market

In a notice dated September 24, 2026, and signed by Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed I. Mohamed, the Board said the falsified injection carries batch numbers 18862110 and 18802112 and misleadingly claims to have been manufactured by Genentech.

The regulator said the product was detected through its post-marketing surveillance activities, which monitor health products and technologies in circulation.

After comparing the suspected product with the genuine one supplied by Novartis Overseas Investment AG, the Board identified several telltale differences.

The falsified injection is labelled Lucentis, while the brand registered in Kenya is Patizra. Its label states 0.3 mg, while the registered product is labelled 10 mg/mL.

It is also packed in a dark amber vial, whereas the genuine product comes in a clear glass vial. In addition, the batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date do not match the genuine product's details.

The PPB warned that the falsified batch may contain incorrect amounts of the active ingredient, no active ingredient at all, harmful contaminants or undeclared substances, and may therefore fail to deliver the intended therapeutic effect.

The Board said it is working with government investigative and enforcement agencies, and that the collaboration has led to the arrest of one individual found with the falsified product. Investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the injection, its point of entry into the country and the extent of its distribution within the supply chain.

The PPB added that it will continue to take firm regulatory and legal action against anyone involved in the manufacture, importation, distribution or supply of falsified health products.

Healthcare professionals have been urged to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of their stock before dispensing and quarantine any suspected falsified products.

Procurement agencies, hospitals, distributors, healthcare workers and members of the public were asked to report immediately any encounter with the affected batches.

All players in the supply chain were also reminded to buy health products only from Board-licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, and to keep proper records.

The PPB cautioned that sourcing from unlicensed outlets endangers patients and violates the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap 244 of the Laws of Kenya.

Suspected falsified or substandard medicines can be reported through the PPB's online portal at pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org/users/mpublic, or through the mPvERS mobile app on Android and iOS.