Pharmacy and Poisons Board Issues Alert as Counterfeit Viagra, HIV Kits & Dialysis Drugs Flood Kenyan Market

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a public alert regarding the ongoing circulation of counterfeit and poor-quality medications across Kenya. 

Among the products most frequently compromised are male sexual enhancement pills such as Viagra, HIV self-testing kits, and anticoagulants essential for patients undergoing dialysis. 

During the rollout of a new national strategy to fight fake health products, PPB’s Director of Product Safety, Dr. Edward Abwao, revealed that investigative findings confirm these dangerous items are actively present in the market, posing a serious threat to public health.

The PPB documented 1,413 complaints concerning health product quality between 2021 and 2025, leading to the withdrawal of 99 products from circulation. In response, Kenya has introduced its National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, aimed at curbing this menace.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, speaking at the inauguration of the Inter-ministerial Steering Committee, stressed that these fraudulent items endanger patient safety, national health security, and economic growth. He called for unified efforts from regulators, law enforcers, border agencies, counties, healthcare workers, manufacturers, and the public. 

PPB Chairperson John Munyu added that this plan signifies a stronger collaborative framework to safeguard lives and restore trust in healthcare. Over the past eight months, the Board has implemented reforms, including mandatory re-registration of older drugs, improved port surveillance, risk-based inspections, and expanded post-market monitoring. 

However, Munyu noted that weaknesses in supply chains, trade, border controls, law enforcement, and online sales continue to hinder progress. Between 2011 and 2025, over 32,000 adverse event reports were logged, and from 2020 to 2026, 18 falsified medicine alerts were issued.