The government has ordered the recall of two drugs from all chemists, pharmacies, and health institutions with immediate effect from November 22, 2024.
In a statement from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) on November 22, 2024, the government indicated that there was a labelling mix-up of the drugs with varying percentages of concentration.
“The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (“the Board”) has mandated a recall of Efinox 1% w/v Batch No. 82979 and Efinox 0.5% w/v Batch No. 82978, manufactured by Laboratory and Allied Ltd., Kenya. The recall is being issued due to labelling mix-ups where the correct product was identified but the wrong strength was applied,” the board said.
Adding: “An investigation by Laboratory and Allied Ltd revealed that there was likely a mix-up between 0.5% w/v and 1% w/v strengths of the Efinox Nasal Drops during the labelling and packing process of the above batches.”
The board also notified members of the public and retailers against the purchase of the nasal drops medicine, calling for the return of the affected drugs to the supplier.
“In light of this, the board advises all pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and members of the public to immediately stop the further distribution, sale, issuance, or use of the affected product batches. The products should be returned to the nearest healthcare facility or respective suppliers,” the board advised.
The board urged the public to report any suspected cases of substandard medicines or adverse drug reactions to the nearest healthcare facility or the Pharmacy and Poisons Board through the following channels: https://pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org/users/mpublic, USSD code at *271#, Email [email protected] or [email protected] Telephone No. 0795-743-049.
Previous drug recalls
This becomes the 25th time the Pharmacy and Poisons Board is recalling drugs from chemists and health facilities for various reasons.
Some of the recalled drugs in 2024 alone were Flamodip tablets, which were mislabeled. The secondary package is labelled as Flamodip-5 (Amlodipine), while the primary package is labelled as Flaminopril-5 (Enalapril), the Carvedilol 25mg, the Neuropower forte from Hof Pharmaceuticals Ltd., India, Esomeprazole 40mg tablets from Medico Remedies Limited, India, and Rabeprozole from Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited, India.
The others are Efinox 1% nasal drops, Doximar capsules, Medimol suspension, Atravita injection, Lidocel injection, Painil suspension, Caryl expectorant, AmoxiClav-Denk, Curamol suspension, Benylin Pediatric 100 ml Cough Syrup, DTS-Z (dehydration treatment salts), MZ-CAL Plus Suspension, Azithrosafe Suspension and Haemaccel 500ml Injection.
The other drugs that have been recalled are Izzithree Suspension, Amitrip Tablets, Chlorpromazine Tablets, Blink Paracetamol, and Diarim Aqueous Cream B.P.