New Delhi, 27 December: Hyderabad-based drug manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has dismissed claims made by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) that labelled the company’s anti-rabies vaccine as counterfeit.
Earlier this week, ATAGI issued an advisory alleging that fake batches of the anti-rabies vaccine Abhayrab had been circulating in India since November 2023.
IIL, which has been manufacturing Abhayrab in India since 2000, expressed strong objections to these claims.
The company stated that ATAGI’s advisory suggested that vaccines administered in India after 1 November 2023 should be considered invalid, causing confusion among the public and healthcare workers. IIL warned that such advisories could undermine confidence in the vaccine.
On Saturday, IIL’s Vice President and Head of Quality Management, Sunil Tiwari, said, “Our intent is to assure stakeholders that the company’s pharmacovigilance and quality systems are robust, and the public can trust vaccines supplied directly by IIL and its authorised channels.”
According to IIL, over 210 million doses of Abhayrab have been supplied since 2000 across India and 40 other countries, holding a 40 percent market share of the anti-rabies vaccine in India.
Australian health authorities cautioned that individuals who received the fake vaccine might not be fully protected against rabies. They advised those vaccinated with Abhayrab after 1 November 2023 to consult their doctors to determine if replacement doses are necessary.
IIL revealed that in January 2025, it identified packaging irregularities in a particular batch (Batch # KA 24014). The company promptly informed Indian regulators and law enforcement, filed a formal complaint, and collaborated closely with authorities to ensure swift action.
Describing this as an isolated incident, IIL assured that the counterfeit batch is no longer available in the market.
The company also reassured healthcare professionals and the general public regarding the safety of its vaccines.
IIL said, “Every batch of vaccine produced in India undergoes testing and release by the Central Drugs Laboratory (Government of India) before being sold or distributed. Supplies through government agencies and authorised distributors adhere to established safety standards.”
Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease affecting the central nervous system. In humans, most cases of rabies are caused by virus transmission through infected dog bites.
The disease is invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear, affecting the central nervous system in 100 percent of cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India records approximately 18,000 to 20,000 deaths annually from rabies, most resulting from dog bites.
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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