Zimbabwe issues warning on falsified ABHAYRAB rabies vaccine

ZIMBABWE—The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has raised a significant public health concern following the discovery of a falsified ABHAYRAB Rabies vaccine circulating through unauthorized sources.

This counterfeit vaccine poses serious risks, as it may lack efficacy, contain harmful components, and ultimately fail to prevent rabies, a deadly disease.

In a statement issued through Circular No. 03 of 2025, the MCAZ warned that the falsified product was being sold under the name RABIES VACCINE, HUMAN I.P. instead of the registered RABIES VACCINE B.P. ‘Rab’.

The counterfeit vaccine’s labeling deviates from the official product, with a critical difference in the name, which raises concerns about its authenticity.

Additionally, the counterfeit vaccine declared Purified Vero Cell Rabies Vaccine as its active ingredient, which is identical to the registered vaccine.

However, the packaging for the falsified vaccine also misrepresented the manufacturer.

The registered vaccine is produced by Human Biologicals Institute, located at Kazhipannai, Pudumund P.O., Dr Basavaiah Nagar, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India.

In contrast, the falsified version incorrectly listed the manufacturing site as Human Biologicals Institute (a division of Indian Immunologicals Limited), Survey No.: 281-284 and 321, Biotech Park, Phase III, Karkapatla Village, Markook Mandal, Siddipet (Dist.), Telangana, India.

Another key discrepancy lies in the batch number and expiry date.

The falsified vaccine had a batch number of KE24002 (Sample) with an expiry date of 05/27 (Sample), while the registered vaccine batch number is 24URAB086 (Sample) with an expiry date of 10/27 (Sample), highlighting the potential risks associated with counterfeit vaccines.

The MCAZ has called on all licensed wholesalers, pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals to quarantine any units of the falsified ABHAYRAB Rabies vaccine.

Once quarantined, these units must be submitted to the authority for proper disposal. In addition, members of the public who may have unknowingly purchased the counterfeit vaccine are strongly advised to return the product to the pharmacy where it was purchased.

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