FDA orders shutdown of fake anti-rabies vaccine firm

The Food and Drug Administration has ordered the shutdown of the company that allegedly supplied fake rabies vaccines to a hospital, a report on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday said.

An investigation was launched after The Medical City reported that it acquired counterfeit rabies vaccines from Geramil Trading, a wholesale distributor licensed by the FDA.

Kumpanya na umano'y nagbenta ng mga pekeng anti-rabies vaccine sa isang ospital, ipinasara na ng Food and Drug Administration o FDA. #SuperBalitasaHaponSabado

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 2, 2019

The fake vaccine appears legitimate and almost has no difference to the original, apart from the registration number on its label.

According to T he Medical City, it has reached out to almost 2,000 patients who were administered the fake vaccine to examine and vaccinate them.

It has also filed criminal charges against Geramil Trading.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo on Super Radyo dzBB said distributor Geramil Trading will no longer be allowed to operate. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News