All about the counterfeit ‘Abhayrab’ rabies vaccine batch under investigation
Authorities are investigating a counterfeit batch of the Abhayrab rabies vaccine after vials seized in Delhi failed potency tests and were found to be misbranded. The manufacturer, Indian Immunologicals Ltd., has confirmed the seized vials are not genuine and is cooperating with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to trace the source of the illicit supply.
Why it matters
The circulation of ineffective rabies vaccines poses a severe public health risk, as the disease is fatal if not treated with high-quality, potent post-exposure prophylaxis.
The story so far: A rabies vaccine, that could be critical in preventing a fatal infection, has failed a mandatory potency test, after vials bearing the batch number of a genuine Abhayrab consignment were seized from an unlicensed premises in Delhi. The Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Kasauli, has declared the samples in question as “Not of Standard Quality” and “misbranded”, setting off an investigation into whether counterfeit vaccine was being manufactured or distributed.
Rabies is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear, while timely and quality-assured post-exposure vaccination can prevent complications and death. The immediate concern for investigators, therefore, is not only how the questioned vials came to bear the details of a genuine vaccine batch, but whether any person bitten by a potentially rabid animal received a product that lacked the required potency.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in