The World Health Organization (WHO) has intercepted on fake antibiotics being sold in the country warning locals to be vigilant.
The medical alert on counterfeit Augmentin drug which could be doing more harm to the body’s systems was seized in Kenya and Uganda.
Augmentin, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, is a broad-spectrum of antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and is listed among WHO’s Essential Medicines.
Who has warned that the counterfeit Augmentin drugs in batch No 786627 showing the manufacture date as August 2016, allegedly expiring in August 2019 should not be consumed.The packaging of the falsified product appears to be a close imitation of the genuine product manufactured by GSK (GlaxoSmithKline),” WHO said in a statement. The fake antibiotics did not have the stated active ingredient after a test in the quality assurance laboratory. The manufacturer of the antibiotic GlaxoSmithKline has disowned the falsified version medicines.
WHO has urged anyone who has used the counterfeit drugs and experiencing some side effects to seek medical attention and report to the authorities.
“If you have taken this falsified medical product, or if you suffer an adverse event or an unexpected lack of efficacy, please seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare professional, and ensure they report the incident to your Ministry of Health,” WHO warned.
According to WHO, the falsified drugs were found through routine post-marketing surveillance that tests the quality of medical products in the outlets.
This is a second WHO Medical Alert issued on the same drug in Africa. The first issued alert on the circulation of counterfeit antibiotics was done in Cameron on March 2.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health through Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) acknowledged that it was aware of the warning issued by WHO.
“Pharmacy and Poisons Board would like to notify the general public of the following falsified Augmentin tablets circulating in Kenya and Uganda as per the WHO alert No. 9/2019,” said Dr F M Siyoi, the board’s chief executive officer.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report to the board in case they come across any of the counterfeit Augmentin.
“The board wishes to reassure the public of its commitment to safeguarding the health of the public by ensuring only safe, quality and efficacious medical products and health technologies are available in the market,” said Siyoi.
WHO called for increased vigilance within the supply chains of countries likely to be affected by the falsified medical product.
![The signing ceremony took place in Kisumu, with Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o representing the county government and UN-Habitat Executive Director in Kenya, Anaclaudia Rossbach, signing on behalf of the UN agency. Under the agreement, both parties commit to jointly implementing the housing upgrade project, which Governor Nyong’o said will primarily target vulnerable groups. “The PINUA programme [is] designed to benefit the most vulnerable members of the community,” Nyong’o said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable neighborhoods equipped with essential services. Beginning November 1, 2025, the county government, working with UN-Habitat, will launch pilot projects in Kibuye Estate and Muhoroni Sub-County, based on designs and models developed through extensive public participation. The programme will focus on upgrading informal settlements by providing essential social infrastructure such as schools, sanitation facilities, affordable rental housing, early childhood development centres, and public open spaces. It also supports incremental housing models, allowing families to progressively build and eventually own decent homes. Rossbach emphasized UN-Habitat’s global commitment to driving transformative change in urban areas: “This partnership is crucial in advancing our new strategy, which focuses on improving housing access and digitally transforming informal settlements for everyone.” According to UN-Habitat housing architect Fred Omenya, the pilot phase will begin in January 2026 with the construction of two blocks of 24 housing units in Kibuye Estate.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/About-us-still-25957706200_7ca2db7e5e_k-218x150.jpg "Kisumu, UN-Habitat sign Ksh2.7bn deal for social housing upgrade")
