DRAP confirmed that certain batches of Influvac Tetra and Vaxigrip Tetra flu vaccines are counterfeit. The products were reportedly marketed under the names of Abbott Pharma and Sanofi Winthrop.
According to the regulatory authority, the packaging of Influvac Tetra carries the address of Abbott Biologicals in the Netherlands, while Vaxigrip Tetra packaging lists Sanofi Winthrop in France.
The alert followed information provided by Sanofi’s distributor in Pakistan, who notified the authorities about the supply of counterfeit flu vaccines in the local market.
DRAP identified batch number Y4B34 of Vaxigrip Tetra influenza vaccine as counterfeit, stating that the batch had never been imported into Pakistan.
Similarly, batch number P13 of Influvac Tetra, reportedly supplied to medicine markets in Lahore, has also been confirmed as fake.
The authority has directed doctors not to administer vaccines from the identified counterfeit batches to patients.
DRAP warned that the quality and effectiveness of the fake vaccines are unknown and that their use could pose serious health risks, potentially proving fatal for patients.
Doctors, distributors and pharmacies have been instructed to immediately report the presence of counterfeit flu vaccines in the market.
The authority has also directed that any adverse reactions linked to the suspected vaccines be reported promptly to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
In addition, DRAP has instructed provincial drug authorities to take emergency measures to prevent the distribution of counterfeit vaccines.
Provincial field teams have been ordered to conduct a detailed investigation into the supply chains of the fake vaccines, while drug inspectors and enforcement teams have been directed to immediately seize all identified counterfeit batches.
