Following information received by the Ministry of Health and inspections conducted by the Enforcement and Supervision Department, in cooperation with the Pharmaceutical Division and the Central and Haifa District Pharmacists, counterfeit EYLEA 2 mg medicines were found. An investigation by the Ministry revealed that the fake drugs were distributed by trading houses in Haifa and Kafr Bara and reached several pharmacies.
EYLEA is a prescription drug intended for intravitreal injection to treat various retinal diseases. It contains the active ingredient Aflibercept and is considered an effective treatment to stop vision loss and even improve sight. The drug is administered by ophthalmologists and is registered and marketed in Israel by Bayer Israel Ltd.
The ministry of Health asks anyone in possession of packages marked with batch number KTOT4V4, or packages where the expiration date 0.9.2026 is printed incorrectly and lack the dedicated medical staff sticker (which should include the batch number and expiry date), to avoid using them and report to the ministry of Health at modiin@moh.gov.il. Additionally, doctors are asked to review their records for any unusual side effects related to these batches and report them to the Ministry of Health.
These are counterfeit medicines. Their use must be avoided because their quality, safety, and efficacy have not been tested by the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health is continuing its investigation, and the samples found have been sent for laboratory testing.
Attached are photos detailing the counterfeit batches and the differences between the approved packaging and the suspicious packaging.