This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 29, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical alert on counterfeit Augmentin drugs being sold in Kenya and Uganda.
Augmentin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, is listed among WHO's Essential Medicines.
WHO warned that the counterfeit Augmentin drugs in batch No 786627, manufactured in August 2016 and 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 GlaxoSmithKline," WHO said in a statement.
GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of the antibiotic, has disowned the falsified version of the medicine.
WHO has urged anyone who has used the counterfeit drugs and is experiencing 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.
