Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has issued a statement refuting recent warnings regarding counterfeit antirabies vaccines in India. The company responded to an alert from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, which suggested that fake versions of the Abhayrab vaccine had been circulating since November 2023. IIL emphasised that these claims do not accurately reflect the current situation in India. The alert from Australian health authorities raised concerns that individuals who received counterfeit doses may not be adequately protected against rabies, a potentially fatal viral disease. In a statement, Sunil Tiwari, Vice President and Head of Quality Management at IIL, reassured stakeholders of the company's rigorous quality control and pharmacovigilance systems. "The alert does not reflect the current situation," Tiwari stated, underscoring the reliability of vaccines supplied directly by IIL and its authorised distribution channels. IIL has been manufacturing the Abhayrab vaccine since 2000 and has supplied over 210 million doses to both the Indian market and 40 other countries. The vaccine maintains a significant market share, accounting for 40% of rabies vaccinations in India. The company stressed that all its vaccines undergo stringent testing and quality assurance by the Central Drugs Laboratory, a government agency, before being released for public use.
Published: December 28, 2025 5:45 pm
Source: India News Network — Read original