Civil society has raised questions on how the recalled ARVs passed through the regulatory bodies before reaching patients.
The Network Empowerment of People Living with AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK) has queried how the drugs could not be flagged by KEBS prior to being distributed to patients.
The ministry of health on Wednesday last week advised patients to return the ARVS they had received in exchange for others from other manufacturers even as it assured of enough stock.
NEPHAK Executive Director Nelson Otuoma has further raised concern that some patients might still be unaware of the return policy hence continuing to take the drugs.
“The patients are asking how that medicine passed KEMSA, KEBS and everybody else, went to facilities and was given to communities,” Otuoma said.
“Now they come to us and say we want you to return these medicines because they are defective. The conversation is not ending today, it will end after a long time.”
This was after a recall of ARVs supplied by Universal Corporation Limited more than two weeks ago due to faulty packaging and black spots on some tablets.
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.
Dr Fred 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.