Delhi drugs control body warns of fake rabies vaccines in major cities

New Delhi: The Delhi Drugs Control Department (DDCD) issued an urgent warning about the circulation of the fake anti-rabies vaccine Abhayrab in major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and others. DDCD issued the warning after receiving a letter from the Drugs Controller General (I), CDSCO (Enforcement Division), a subsidiary of the government of India. The regulatory body for which the issue has become a cause for concern said that the fake vaccines are falsely labelled as a product of Indian Immunologicals Limited, a government agency, The New Indian Express, reported.

According to the news house, authorities flagged vials from Batch No. KA24014, the counterfeit version of the anti-rabies vaccine, said that the fake vaccines significantly differ from the real ones

According to the Drugs Controller General’s letter, the fake vaccine that was being circulated in the markets without maintaining the required cold chain (2-8 degrees centigrades) may cause significant health risks.

The New Indian Express quoted the letter, “You are requested to sensitise your members on the subject and also bring the contents of this letter to their knowledge. You are advised to be vigilant regarding the sales and purchase of aforesaid products, which is to be done through proper invoices. Any relevant information obtained in the subject matter may be communicated to this office immediately so as to take action as deemed fit against the offenders.”

DDCD has asked drug inspectors and pharmacy officials to stay alert to prevent fake vaccines from being distributed, as Abhayrab is a popular anti-rabies vaccine. The regulatory body directed pharmacies to maintain proper invoices to verify their supplies, The New Indian Express reported.