1 hr ago
Delhi Seizes Misbranded Abhayrab Vaccine; No Exports Confirmed
Officials in Delhi found vaccine vials labeled as Abhayrab at an unlicensed location.
Tests said the vials were misbranded and not of standard quality.
Four people were reportedly arrested in connection with the case.
The company that makes genuine Abhayrab said it did not make the seized vials.
Investigators found 17 differences between the seized vials and the company’s stored samples.
These differences included labels, packaging, QR codes, cap color and license details.
Officials said none of the affected products had been exported to another country.
The government is watching for illegal medicines and investigating where the vials came from.
Authorities seized Abhayrab-labeled vaccine batch KE25012 from an unlicensed Mukherjee Nagar premises in Delhi.
The Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, declared the product misbranded and not of standard quality.
Four people were reportedly arrested, with further investigation and legal action underway.
Indian Immunologicals Ltd said the seized vials were not manufactured by the company and differed from its retained samples in 17 ways.
Authorities said no part of the affected batch was exported, while authorized-channel supplies were unaffected.
- Who
- The Delhi Police Crime Branch, Delhi Drugs Control Department, CDSCO officials, the Central Drugs Laboratory, and Indian Immunologicals Ltd are involved; four people were reportedly arrested.
- What
- A batch of Abhayrab-labeled rabies vaccine, batch KE25012, was seized and declared misbranded and not of standard quality.
- Where
- The vaccine was seized at an unlicensed residential premises in Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi, and tested at the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kasauli.
- When
- The seizure was reported to have taken place on April 22, 2026; related regulatory communications were dated August 27 and September 4.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating the identity and authenticity of the vials and whether they could constitute a spurious drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Regulatory and law-enforcement findings
Manufacturer's position
Authenticity of the seized vaccine
Regulatory and law-enforcement findings
Authorities said the sample’s identity and authenticity required investigation and that the product was misbranded and not of standard quality.
Manufacturer's position
Indian Immunologicals Ltd said the seized vials labeled Abhayrab were not manufactured by the company.
Risk to authorized supplies
Regulatory and law-enforcement findings
The Drugs Controller General of India directed state drug controllers to maintain vigilance over the affected batch and take action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Manufacturer's position
Indian Immunologicals said Abhayrab supplied through authorized channels, including hospitals and licensed pharmacies, was unaffected.
Evidence from testing
Regulatory and law-enforcement findings
The Central Drugs Laboratory found the product misbranded and not of standard quality, although the sample reportedly passed sterility, moisture and identity tests.
Manufacturer's position
The manufacturer highlighted 17 differences from its retained reference samples, including discrepancies in labeling, artwork, QR-code verification, cap color, license details and packaging text.
Key facts
- Affected batch
- KE25012
- Laboratory finding
- The Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, reported the product as misbranded and not of standard quality.
- Arrests
- Four people were reportedly arrested.
- Manufacturer's position
- Indian Immunologicals Ltd said the seized vials were not manufactured by the company.
- Laboratory differences
- Indian Immunologicals said testing found 17 differences between the seized samples and its retained samples.
- Export status
- Authorities said no part of the affected batch was exported to any other country.
- Original batch distribution
- Indian Immunologicals said the original batch contained 83,370 vials distributed through authorized channels.
Quotes
Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli
The laboratory that examined samples of the seized vaccine
“The product was subsequently reported as misbranded and not of standard quality by CDL, Kasauli”
livemint.com
Sunil Tiwari
Vice president of Indian Immunologicals Ltd
“The CDSCO drew vaccine samples from an unlicensed residential premises located at Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi”
livemint.com
Sources
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