The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) issued an advisory on 28 September warning that falsified Lucentis (ranibizumab) 0.3 mg injections bearing batch numbers 18862110 and 18802112 have been found in Kenya.

The counterfeit product, falsely labelled as manufactured by Genentech, was detected through the Board’s post‑marketing surveillance and differs from the genuine product supplied by Novartis Overseas Investment AG in several ways, including labelling, dosage strength, vial colour and batch details.

Lucentis is an eye injection used to treat vision‑loss conditions by blocking a protein that drives abnormal blood‑vessel growth and fluid leakage.

The PPB cautioned that falsified medicines may contain incorrect or no active ingredient, or harmful contaminants, posing risks of treatment failure and potential toxicity.

One individual was arrested after being found in possession of the suspected counterfeit injections; investigations are ongoing to trace the source, entry point and distribution network.

What health professionals and the public should do

The PPB urged healthcare workers to verify product authenticity, quarantine any suspect vials, and report them immediately to the regulator.

Procurement agencies, hospitals, distributors and consumers are advised to source medicines only from Board‑licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.

Regulatory backdrop

The warning follows a recent call by the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya for county governments to ensure that pharmacy outlets hold valid licences, noting that county business permits do not authorise pharmacy practice.