By The Weekly Vision Team
A major controversy has engulfed Galaxy Pharmaceuticals Limited after the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) announced the cancellation of 40 of its health products over accusations of counterfeit formulations, misrepresentation, and intellectual property breaches.
The dispute traces back to a complaint lodged by Prism Life Sciences Limited, which accused Galaxy of distributing fake or substandard medicines and of irregularly acquiring product ownership rights. In a letter dated 26th March 2025, the Board, through its Chief Executive Officer, Dr F.M. Siyoi, notified Galaxy of its intention to revoke the licences, declaring that the transfer of product rights from Prism to Galaxy in 2016 had been “irregular”.
The notice, “Intention to Cancel Registration of Health Products,” directed Galaxy to prepare for market withdrawal of 40 products. A subsequent letter on 22nd May 2025 ordered the surrender of registration certificates, confirming product removal from the Board’s database.
Galaxy Pharmaceuticals, however, moved to court, filing a Judicial Review application on 5th May 2025. In supporting documents sworn by company representative Jay Hitendra Hirani, Galaxy argued that the PPB’s decision was unlawful and hinged on contested claims by Prism Life Sciences.
The matter concluded in court on 15th August 2025, when Justice R.E. Aburili struck out Galaxy’s application on the grounds that the product registrations had already been cancelled, rendering the application moot. This decision meant that the PPB’s cancellation of the 40 products remained effective, and Galaxy had no further legal recourse to reverse the regulator’s action.
The case has rekindled concerns in Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector over accountability, quality control, and the safety of medicines reaching the public. For Galaxy Pharmaceuticals, once regarded as a reliable player in the industry, the reputational damage could prove devastating.
