Be wary of fake cancer drug in the market, Poisons Board warns

Herceptin drug has been identified as counterfeit. [MoH]

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has cautioned the public against the use, sale, or distribution of Herceptin (Trastuzumab 440mg), circulating in the Kenyan market.

Herceptin is a drug used to treat breast and stomach cancer.

The drug, PPB says has been detected to be counterfeit and therefore poses a safety danger to patients.

“The public is notified that this specific product batch number C5830083 is a confirmed counterfeit. It is not authorized to be in the market and is a falsified product given the falsified contents, packaging, and labelling aspects,” said PPB Chief Executive Dr Fred Siyoi.

The Poisons Board has now warned that anyone found selling or distributing the drug in contravention of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Act (Cap. 244), will face legal action.

Herceptin 440mg (Trastuzumab 440mg) is reportedly manufactured in Germany by Roche Products Limited.

The batch bears a manufacturing date of December 2021 and an expiry date of November 2024.