{
  "id": 5940187,
  "title": "All about the counterfeit ‘Abhayrab’ rabies vaccine batch under investigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/all-about-the-counterfeit-abhayrab-rabies-vaccine-batch-under-5940187",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-06T08:15:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/all-about-the-counterfeit-abhayrab-rabies-vaccine-batch-under-investigation/article71434828.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A rabies vaccine batch, dubbed \"Abhayrab,\" has been under investigation for allegedly being counterfeit. The Central Drugs Laboratory in Kasauli has declared vials bearing the batch number KE25012 as \"Not of Standard Quality\" and \"misbranded,\" triggering an inquiry into possible counterfeiting. Rabies is almost always lethal once symptoms appear, but timely, quality-assured post-exposure vaccination can prevent complications and death.\n\nThe samples were seized on April 22, 2026, during a joint operation by the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Delhi Drugs Control Department officials. Four individuals have been arrested. The lab found the vials failed potency tests and had discrepancies in packaging, labeling, artwork, QR-code verification, cap color, and license details compared to genuine reference samples.\n\nIndian Immunologicals Ltd., the manufacturer of Abhayrab, denied involvement in producing the seized vials. The company stated they released the legitimate KE25012 batch on November 7, 2025, through authorized channels. However, the lab identified 17 differences between the questioned vials and the genuine batch. IIL has submitted its manufacturing, quality-control, reconciliation, and distribution records to CDSCO and asked authorities to trace the source and take action against those responsible.\n\nInvestigators must determine who manufactured the questionable vials, where they were stored, how they entered circulation, and if they reached patients through the legitimate or informal medicine supply chain. A critical question is whether anyone received the suspect vaccine. If so, authorities may need to assess the exposure, treatment, and potential additional medical intervention needed.\n\nThe Drugs Controller General of India has requested state and union territory drug controllers to monitor the movement, distribution, and availability of Abhayrab batch KE25012 closely and take appropriate regulatory action. No part of the genuine KE25012 batch has been exported overseas. This case follows a suspected counterfeit Abhayrab episode involving batch KA24014 in 2025, raising concerns about the international dimension of counterfeit rabies products.",
  "summary": "With rabies, the margin for error is exceptionally small. A genuine, potent vaccine administered promptly can prevent a fatal disease; a counterfeit product can create the dangerous illusion that protection has been provided",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu Health",
        "title": "All about the counterfeit ‘Abhayrab’ rabies vaccine batch under investigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/all-about-the-counterfeit-abhayrab-rabies-vaccine-batch-under",
        "published": "2026-09-06T08:15:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}