Kenyan officials have recalled a locally manufactured drug given to HIV patients to suppress the level of the virus in their bodies. The decision was taken after the manufacturer, Universal Corporation Limited, noticed that the tablets were stained due to improper packaging, the Pharmacy and Poisons board said.
The drug was a fixed-dose combination of three tablets - Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir. It is unclear how many patients received the drug, but 14 batches were distributed to hospitals. Patients have been urged to go to their health facilities to have the drug replaced.
The board added that it was conducting tests on the medication, and an investigation to establish the "root cause of the deviation". It did not say whether the drug posed any health risk. The board's chief executive Fred Siyoi said some patients also complained that some of the bottles had fewer tablets. Kenya has about 1.3 million adults living with HIV.
