WHO warns against fake anti-rabies vaccine in PH

Updated February 1, 2019, 10:01 PM

By Analou De Vera

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against a counterfeit

anti-rabies vaccine now circulating in the Philippines.

“This Medical Product Alert relates to falsified Verorab® vaccines that have
been identified in the Philippines and reported to WHO. This vaccine is used
for the prevention of rabies in children and adults. It can be used to protect
those who are at risk of exposure to rabies (pre-exposure vaccination) or to
prevent the development of rabies after exposure has occurred, usually
following the bite of an animal suspected of having rabies (post-exposure
prophylaxis),” WHO said in its advisory.

The World Health Organization (WHO) logo is pictured at the entrance of its
headquarters in Geneva, January 25, 2015. (REUTERS/Pierre Albouy /
MANILA BULLETIN)

The genuine Verorab vaccine is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

The WHO said that “two falsified vaccines have so far been discovered.” It said
that Verorab vaccines with batch number NIE35 and H1833 are counterfeit.

“The stated manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, has confirmed they did not
manufacture these falsified vaccines,” the WHO said in its Medical Product
Alert.

The health organization revealed that “there have been no known adverse
reactions reported to WHO at this stage.”

“WHO requests increased vigilance within the supply chains of countries likely
to be affected by these falsified vaccines. Increased vigilance should include
hospitals, clinics, health centres, wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies and
any other suppliers of vaccines,” it said.

“If you are in possession of the above vaccines, please do not use. If you have
used these falsified vaccines, or if you suffer an adverse event having used
these vaccines, please seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare
professional, and ensure they report the incident to your local Ministry of
Health/National Medicines Regulatory Authorities/National Pharmacovigilance
Center,” WHO said.

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in a recent statement,

said it received a complaint from The Medical City regarding counterfeit
anti-rabies vaccines that they had procured.
The FDA said the counterfeit vaccine do not contain labels about its
FDA-licensed Philippine importer and distributor; FDA Registration Number;
Rx symbol; FDA caution statement on dispensing; and a barcode.

The alleged distributor of the counterfeit anti-rabies vaccine, based on the

complaint lodge by The Medical City, was identified as Geramil Trading
located in Calumpit, Bulacan.

“FDA dispatched a team to The Medical City and was able to acquire copies of
their transaction with Geramil Trading. Sanofi Pasteur’s verification indicated
that the submitted sample Verorab vaccine is not a legitimate and registered
product,” the agency said.

“Various FDA teams have begun scouring different hospitals in Pampanga and
Bulacan who may have procured the counterfeit vaccines from Geramil
Trading and prevent them from further dispensing said products to the public,”
the FDA said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, in a radio interview Friday, said the
Department of Health (DOH) is now coordinating with the WHO in conducting
an investigation.

The DOH regional offices were also directed to visit all hospitals and other
places that these counterfeit anti-rabies vaccines may have reached and
confiscate the fake products, he added.