Watch out for ‘counterfeit’ batch of rabies vaccine: Drug regulator to states

Written by: Anonna Dutt.

Key points

• 2 min read New Delhi Sep 6, 2026 04: 30 AM IST.
• The State Drug Control authorities were additionally requested to take appropriate regulatory action, stated a public notice by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
• Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express.
• With rabies being an almost 100% fatal infection, some of the countries additionally asked residents who had received Abhayrab to obtain another shot as a precaution.
• While there are a number of brands of rabies vaccines in India, manufactured by both national and international businesses, Abhayrab is one of the most commonly available.

While there are a number of brands of rabies vaccines in India, manufactured by both national and international businesses, Abhayrab is one of the most commonly available. The vaccine holds almost 40% of the market share in the country.

After samples collected by it from Delhi earlier this year were identified to be not potent and misbranded, THE COUNTRY'S apex drug regulator has asked all states to keep an eye out for a specific batch of the commonly applied anti-rabies vaccine Abhayrab.

There were a number of errors in the vaccine's packaging text, such as the apply of an apostrophe instead of a comma or 'L Pasteur' being spelled as 'L Posteur', changes in the font and text spacing, difference in the company's logo, suggesting that it wasn't a genuine product manufactured by Indian Immunologicals.

"Through a communication dated 27 August 2026, the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) requested all State Drugs Controllers to alert their inspectorate staff and maintain strict vigilance over the movement, distribution and availability of the above-mentioned batch of the drug. The State Drug Control authorities were additionally requested to take appropriate regulatory action, " stated a public notice by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Last year, the same vaccine came under scrutiny by a number of international drug regulators, including those from the UK, US, and Australia, over worries of such counterfeit batches. With rabies being an almost 100% fatal infection, some of the countries additionally asked residents who had received Abhayrab to obtain another shot as a precaution. This was additionally similarly recognised during market surveillance.

"In connection with the case, a total of four persons have been arrested by the Delhi Police. Further investigation and appropriate legal action are being undertaken by the competent authorities, " remarked the CDSCO.

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the challenges with pervasive infectious conditions. She documented on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city administration investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt additionally takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was additionally selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She began her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor.

In short, watch out for 'counterfeit' batch of rabies vaccine: Drug regulator to states is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.