THE World Health Organisation has warned about marketing of fake cholera vaccine in some South-East and South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, which created worrisome situation. In this backdrop, Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted the public, especially healthcare providers, on the existence of fake Dukoral oral cholera vaccine circulating in Bangladesh. According to a statement by Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, the packaging of the falsified Dukoral vaccine displays texts in English and French language. “The WHO Country Office and Health Authorities in Bangladesh have quarantined the 8,000 falsified packs of Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine so far identified,” he said.
The details of the falsified Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccines identified in Bangladesh are as follows — “Product Name Dukoral Oral Cholera Vaccine/ Vaccin Oral contre le Cholera, Batch Number KV8262B1; Expiry Date 2020-04, stated manufacturer Valneva Canada Inc where the logo of the manufacturer Crucell is also displayed. Adeyeye also clarified that the manufacturer of genuine Dukoral oral cholera vaccine was Valneva Sweden AB, formerly Crucell Sweden AB. WHO warned all importers, wholesalers and retailers to desist from illegal importation, distribution and sale of the falsified vaccine.
In mid-January, Bangladesh faced another problem regarding faulty Vitamin capsules for which the authorities compelled to suspend vitamin ‘A plus’ campaign across Bangladesh. At that time, State Minister for Health categorically blamed an Indian pharmaceutical company (Mumbai-based Aztec Pharmaceuticals Company for the ‘faulty’ capsules.
We must say, Directorate General of Health Services will have to take prompt action about the fake cholera vaccine without wasting any time. According to a research report of ICDDR,B there are estimated to be between 1.4 and 4.3 million cases of cholera every year while an estimated 28,000 to 142,000 people die of cholera every year. So, it’s really a serious matter. DGHS also find out the reasons why fake life-saving drugs are brought and marketed here and who are responsible for the crimes.
