Fake Cancer Drugs in Kenya

Substandard and falsified medical products are a massive global problem, particularly acute in Kenya and other African countries due to specific supply chain challenges. The Kenyan Drugs and Toxins Agency (PPB) is warning the public about counterfeit cancer medications circulating worldwide. These counterfeit drugs contain no active ingredients and pose a serious risk to patients. Kenya is considered one of the most important pharmaceutical markets in East Africa, but it is also a major transit point for counterfeit products. The UN estimates that nearly 500,000 people die annually in sub-Saharan Africa from counterfeit medicines. Of these, approximately 170,000 deaths are attributed to counterfeit antibiotics for pneumonia in children. A global Interpol operation in 90 countries led to the seizure of over 50 million doses of illicit medicines worth USD 65 million by mid-2025. For the first time, "lifestyle products" such as counterfeit weight-loss injections (semaglutide) and erectile dysfunction medication were also a major focus. In a published statement, the agency announced that counterfeit versions of IBRANCE, a breast cancer drug, are circulating in several countries. Over 70% of medications consumed in Kenya are imported. Fragmented supply chains offer criminals numerous opportunities to introduce counterfeit goods. The most frequently counterfeited medications are antibiotics, malaria drugs, painkillers, and HIV/AIDS medications. Local recalls (e.g., by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board) also frequently involved quality defects in paracetamol and albendazole preparations in 2025. According to the PPB, the counterfeit pills contain absolutely nothing that could treat cancer. Nine batches of the counterfeit medications have been identified worldwide. Certain identification numbers have been classified as dangerous in Lebanon, Ivory Coast, Turkey, Egypt, and Libya. The global trade in counterfeit medicines is a multi-billion dollar business, often more lucrative than traditional drug trafficking. According to OECD data from 2025, the global trade in counterfeit goods amounts to approximately USD 467 billion (about 2.3% of world trade). Pharmaceuticals are among the most dangerous categories. https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/119469-warning-issued-over-fake-cancer-treatment-pills-containing-no-active-ingredients