ALERT! Counterfeit Rabies Vaccine Seized in Delhi – Public Health at Risk

A major public health alert has been issued following the seizure of a counterfeit batch of the crucial rabies vaccine, Abhayrab, in Delhi. Investigations are now underway to determine the extent of the fraud and its potential impact on individuals who may have received the substandard product.

The Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Kasauli, has officially declared the seized samples as "Not of Standard Quality" and "misbranded," sparking serious concerns given that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms manifest.

The compromised vials, bearing the batch number KE25012, were confiscated on April 22, 2026, during a joint enforcement operation. The Delhi Police Crime Branch, in collaboration with officials from the Delhi Drugs Control Department, raided an unlicensed residential premises in Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi.

Four individuals have since been arrested in connection with this alarming discovery, according to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Laboratory analysis revealed that the questioned vials failed crucial potency tests.

Furthermore, they exhibited significant discrepancies when compared to genuine reference samples. These differences were noted across several aspects, including packaging, labelling, artwork, QR-code verification, cap colour, and even license details, indicating a sophisticated counterfeiting operation.

The immediate concern for investigators extends beyond simply uncovering the source of the fake vaccines.

They are urgently working to ascertain whether any individuals bitten by potentially rabid animals might have inadvertently received these ineffective doses, creating a dangerous illusion of protection.

The margin for error with rabies is virtually non-existent; a potent vaccine administered promptly can prevent a fatal disease, while a counterfeit offers no such safeguard.

Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL), the legitimate manufacturer of Abhayrab through its Human Biologicals Institute (HBI), has vehemently denied any involvement in producing the seized vials. In a statement released on September 4, the company confirmed that their genuine KE25012 batch, comprising 83,370 vials, had undergone and passed all required testing.

This incident marks the second time in less than two years that counterfeit Abhayrab doses have been discovered in India, highlighting a persistent threat to public health.

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