The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned Kenyans about a falsified batch of Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive pills circulating in the country.

The affected product is Levonorgestrel 0.75mg, batch number T34197R, which the Board says is being falsely marketed as genuine Postinor-2.

The regulator warned that the fake pills may contain the wrong amount of the active ingredient, no active ingredient, harmful contaminants or undeclared substances.

The fake batch was identified through the Board’s routine surveillance of health products in the market. Officials found several differences between the suspected fake and genuine Postinor-2, including packaging, printing, sealing and the colour of the brand name.

The Board has already arrested two people found in possession of the falsified pills as investigations continue to establish their source and distribution network.

Healthcare professionals have been urged to verify their stocks and quarantine any suspected fake products.

The public and other players in the pharmaceutical supply chain have also been advised to report any suspected cases and buy medicines only from licensed suppliers.

The Board warned that purchasing medicines from unlicensed sources puts patients at risk and violates the Pharmacy and Poisons Act.