THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the existence of a fake cholera vaccine in Bangladesh.
This is coming just a day after a report by the Norwegian Refugee Council over an imminent deadly cholera outbreak in the North East region of Nigeria due to lack of sanitation in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, in a statement on Tuesday, said the packaging of the fake vaccine bears texts in English and French language, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had already confiscated some of the falsified vaccines.
“We are raising this alert to health care providers and the society at large about the existence of falsified Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine circulating in Bangladesh,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Adeyeye as stating.
“The WHO Country Office and Health Authorities in Bangladesh have quarantined the 8,000 falsified packs of Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine so far identified.
Batch Number: KV8262B1
Expiry Date: 2020-04
Stated Manufacturer: Valneva Canada Inc.“Note that the logo of the manufacturer Crucell is also displayed,” she said.
Adeyeye explained that the manufacturer of original Dukoral Oral Cholera Vaccine was Valneva Sweden AB, formerly Crucell Sweden AB, adding that according to the manufacturer “the combination of the manufacturers, Valneva Canada Inc and Crucell should not exist on any packaging of the vaccine in the market”.
“Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine manufactured by Valneva Canada Inc is not registered by NAFDAC,” she stated.
“All importers, wholesalers and retailers are implored to desist from illegal importation, distribution and sale of the falsified vaccine.
“NAFDAC has also heightened surveillance to prevent distribution and sale of the falsified vaccine.
“Healthcare providers and other members of the public are advised to be vigilant and contact the nearest NAFDAC office with any information on the falsified Dukoral vaccine.
“Anybody in possession of the falsified vaccine should submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
Adeyeye enjoined the general public to report any adverse event related to the use of vaccines to the nearest NAFDAC office via – NAFDAC PRASCOR 20543 (toll-free from all Network ) or through the email address [email protected].