Friday 14th August, 2026 03:04 PM|
Illustration. PHOTO/AI-generated image
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned Kenyans against using a falsified batch of Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive tablets that has been found circulating in the local market.
The affected product bears batch number T34197R and claims to have been manufactured by Gedeon Richter Plc.
On August 14, 2026, the Board said the product is falsified and was not manufactured or released by the legitimate manufacturer.
The alert follows routine post-marketing surveillance by the Board, which is responsible for regulating medicines and other health products in Kenya.
The product in question contains levonorgestrel 0.75 mg tablets. According to the Board, checks carried out on the suspected falsified product found several differences when compared with genuine Postinor-2 supplied by Gedeon Richter.
Differences found on fake Postinor-2
The Board identified differences in the way the batch number is printed on the packaging.
It also found several printing and typographical errors in the Patient Information Leaflet, raising concerns about the authenticity of the product.
The packaging was another key difference. Genuine Gedeon Richter packs are sealed using a hot-melt closure, while the falsified packs use a different sealing method.
The colour used on the brand name and other parts of the packaging was also significantly more intense than that found on genuine products.
In addition, the font of the logo revealed after scratching the authentication panel differed from the one used on authentic Postinor-2 packs.
The Board said these differences confirmed that batch T34197R was not a genuine product from Gedeon Richter.
Fake batch may pose health risks
The medicines regulator warned that the falsified tablets may contain the wrong amount of the active ingredient, no active ingredient, harmful contaminants or undeclared substances.
“This batch of falsified Postinor-2 may contain incorrect amounts of the active ingredient, no active ingredient at all, harmful contaminants, or undeclared substances, and therefore may not provide the intended therapeutic effect,” read the statement in part.
This means the product may not provide the intended contraceptive effect, potentially exposing users to unintended pregnancy and other health risks.
Healthcare professionals have been advised to verify the authenticity of Postinor-2 stocks before dispensing them and to quarantine any suspected falsified products.
Hospitals, procurement agencies, distributors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists and members of the public have also been urged to report any encounter with batch T34197R.
The Board further reminded players in the pharmaceutical supply chain to obtain health products and technologies only from manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers licensed by PPB.
It said purchasing medicines from unlicensed sources puts patients at risk and is a violation of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap 244.
Two arrested as investigations continue
The Board said it is working with government investigative and enforcement agencies to establish how the falsified Postinor-2 entered the country and how widely it has been distributed.
Two people have already been arrested after they were found in possession of the falsified product.
Investigations are continuing to establish the source of the tablets, their point of entry into Kenya and the extent of their distribution.
The Board said it will take regulatory and legal action against individuals found involved in the manufacture, importation, distribution or supply of falsified health products.
Members of the public who come across suspected falsified or substandard medicines can report through the PPB online reporting portal, USSD code *271#, the mPvERS mobile application, or by email through [email protected] and [email protected].
Reports can also be made through telephone number 0795743049.
