Exclusive-India flags Abhayrab rabies vaccine batch as substandard, probes if spurious, document shows

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Indian regulatory authorities have flagged a specific batch of the Abhayrab rabies vaccine as substandard. The findings have prompted an official investigation to determine whether the batch in question is merely defective or potentially spurious, raising concerns regarding the integrity of the supply chain for this critical medication.

The investigation centers on quality control protocols following the identification of the batch during routine monitoring. Health officials are currently reviewing documentation to trace the distribution of the affected units and to assess whether the deviation from safety standards occurred during manufacturing or through unauthorized tampering. The Abhayrab vaccine is widely used across India for post-exposure prophylaxis, making the verification of its efficacy a priority for public health departments.

As the probe continues, authorities are expected to issue further guidance to hospitals and clinics regarding the batch numbers currently under scrutiny. The manufacturer has been notified of the findings as part of the standard regulatory process. Further updates are anticipated once the laboratory analysis of the samples is completed and the origin of the substandard quality is confirmed.