Cancer medicines are emerging as a major target for counterfeiters in Kenya, raising concerns over the safety of patients who depend on specialised medicines for life-threatening illnesses.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), recent alerts have involved six cancer medicines: Herceptin, Avastin, Ibrance, Phesgo, Darzalex and Jakavi.
The medicines are used in the management of different cancers and related conditions, making the presence of falsified or substandard versions particularly concerning for patients undergoing treatment.
Unlike counterfeit products that may result in financial losses, falsified cancer medicines can have serious consequences for patients because treatment often depends on receiving the correct medicine, strength and dosage at specific intervals.
A counterfeit medicine may contain the wrong active ingredient, an incorrect concentration or no active pharmaceutical ingredient at all. In some cases, packaging may be deliberately designed to resemble the genuine product, making it difficult for patients to distinguish between the two.
The alerts also highlight the importance of where patients obtain their medicines.
Cancer treatment can be expensive, and patients or their families may be tempted to seek medicines through informal channels in an attempt to reduce costs or obtain products that are difficult to find. This creates an opportunity for counterfeiters to exploit patients who are already facing significant financial and emotional pressure.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is responsible for regulating pharmaceutical products and pharmacy practice in Kenya, including efforts to identify and remove falsified medicines from the market.
For patients, one of the most important safeguards is purchasing cancer medicines through licensed hospitals, pharmacies and other authorised pharmaceutical outlets. Patients should also avoid buying medicines from unverified online sellers, informal traders or individuals offering unusually cheap products.
Healthcare professionals and pharmacists also have an important role in identifying suspicious medicines and reporting suspected falsification to the relevant authorities.
The six recent alerts involving Herceptin, Avastin, Ibrance, Phesgo, Darzalex and Jakavi underline a broader challenge facing Kenya’s healthcare system: protecting the integrity of the medicine supply chain.
As cancer treatment becomes increasingly specialised, ensuring that patients receive authentic medicines is just as important as expanding access to diagnosis and treatment.
For patients already navigating the high cost of cancer care, the possibility of counterfeit medicines adds another layer of risk.
The warning is therefore not simply about fake packaging. It is about ensuring that every medicine reaching a cancer patient contains what it is supposed to contain, in the right quality and strength, and comes through a supply chain that can be trusted.
