The ministry of health has advised patients to return the ARVs they had received in exchange for others from other manufacturers even as it assured of enough stock.
This follows a recall of ARVs supplied by Universal Corporation Limited two weeks ago due to faulty packaging and black spots on some tablets.
The ministry has issued a directive to the Council of Governors and all county directors for health to that effect, after earlier reports that patients had been unable to return their stocks due to unclear communication from the ministry.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board ordered a recall of 14 batches containing thousands of tablets after the manufacturer noticed that improper packaging had stained a few tablets.
PPB CEO Fred Siyoi said the recall only affects 14 batches of Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dalutegravir (TLD) made by the Kikuyu town-based Universal Corporation Limited.
In a statement, Health DG Patrick Amoth has issued guidelines on the return policy, which requires among others counselling of all patients on the need to maintain adherence to treatment as other bands are not affected.
“There are sufficient national stocks of more than six months of TLD from other manufacturers other than UCL,” Amoth said.
“Facilities are instructed to quarantine all TLD tablets manufactured by UCL and accept all UCL TLD tablets returned by clients. Details of the reverse logistics that is how the quarantined stocks at facility level will get back to the manufacturer are being coordinated by KEMSA and PPB,” he adds.
Dr Siyoi first ordered the recall on November 8 following complaints of discoloured induction seals on some bottles containing a few tablets with unusual black spots.
The induction seal is the heat-placed silver lining that covers the bottle to ensure the package is airtight and keeps off any contaminants from entering.
The Kikuyu-based UCL is the only WHO-prequalified manufacturer of ARVs in Kenya.
