The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued an alert over counterfeit influenza vaccines that have been distributed across the country. The fake products carry the names of multinational pharmaceutical brands, the regulator said.
The affected vaccines are Influvac Tetra and Vaxigrip Tetra. Abbott Laboratories and Sanofi Winthrop have confirmed that these vaccines are counterfeit, and DRAP has issued product alerts for both.
Affected batches found in Lahore and elsewhere
DRAP said the packaging of Influvac Tetra lists Abbott Biologicals of the Netherlands, while Vaxigrip Tetra lists Sanofi Winthrop of France. Sanofi’s local distributor in Pakistan alerted authorities to the fake vaccines.
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The regulator highlighted Vaxigrip Tetra batch Y4B34, which it said is counterfeit and was never officially imported. Fake flu vaccines have also been supplied in Lahore, where Influvac Tetra batch P13 was confirmed as counterfeit.
Warnings for doctors and orders to halt supply
In its official alert, DRAP urged doctors not to prescribe the counterfeit vaccines, warning that their quality, efficacy and safety are unknown and that their use could prove lethal. Citizens were asked to report any side effects to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
Doctors, distributors and pharmacies have been told to report any suspected fake vaccines to DRAP immediately. The regulator also directed provincial authorities to take emergency measures to halt the supply chain, investigate the sources and confiscate the affected batches.
