ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued an alert after counterfeit influenza vaccines bearing the names of multinational pharmaceutical companies were reportedly distributed across the country.
The affected products include Influvac Tetra and Vaxigrip Tetra, which pharmaceutical companies Abbott Laboratories and Sanofi Winthrop have confirmed are counterfeit.
DRAP has issued separate product alerts for both vaccines. The packaging of Influvac Tetra carries the name of Abbott Biologicals, Netherlands, while Vaxigrip Tetra lists Sanofi Winthrop, France.
According to the authority, Sanofi’s local distributor in Pakistan alerted officials to the presence of counterfeit vaccines.
DRAP specifically identified Vaxigrip Tetra batch number Y4B34 as fake, stating that it had never been officially imported into Pakistan.
Counterfeit vaccines have also been reported in Lahore, where Influvac Tetra batch P13 was confirmed to be counterfeit.
In its alert, DRAP advised doctors against prescribing or administering the affected products, warning that their quality, safety and effectiveness have not been established and their use could pose serious health risks.
The authority also urged citizens to report any suspected adverse reactions to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC).
Doctors, distributors and pharmacies have been directed to immediately notify DRAP about any suspected counterfeit vaccines.
Furthermore, provincial authorities have been instructed to take urgent action to stop the distribution of the affected products, investigate their sources and confiscate the identified batches.