Severe shortage of anti-rabies vaccines in Pakistan despite rise in dog bite cases

There is a severe shortage of anti-rabies vaccines in Pakistan despite an increase in the number of dog bites incidents across the country.

According to a report published in August, the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) Punjab has taken notice of unavailability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) in the market.

Punjab chief drugs controller wrote to the pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers to explain their position vis-à-vis shortage of the drug in the market.

The report stated how there has been an increase in dog bite incidents across the country over the past few months. However, the federal authority that has the power to sanction the release of the Anti-Rabies Vaccines (ARVs) — the National Control Laboratory (NCL), does not have the federal drug analyst for the last couple of months, resulting in many life-saving drugs and vaccines stuck in warehouses.

Over two months ago, the The Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA) had written a letter to the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan about the appointment of a federal officer at the NCL.

“Patients nationwide have no recourse to address critical ailments at this time. We have been sending reminders to the CEO DRAP and health minister’s office, since the beginning of June 2020, but nothing has happened till date,” it wrote in the letter.