Expired tetanus vaccine worth Rs 10 lakh seized in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: In a recent raid on a warehouse of the private pharmaceutical firm, the North Zone Task Force officials have seized expired tetanus vaccine of Rs 10 lakh worth.

It was discovered that the vaccines were manufactured by Dano Vaccines and Biologicals Private Limited, Ghatkesar and were repacked in the warehouse of the firm at Amberpet in unhygienic conditions.

Informing about the raid, KS Ravi, sub-inspector, north zone task force told TOI, “When we raided ASR printing press in Amberpet today, we noticed that the pharma company is repacking the damaged tetanus vaccines bottles. The vaccines are not maintained at the required temperature, so most of them should be expired by now.”

The authorities reportedly raided the warehouse following a tip-off, and post the raid all the bottles of the vaccine were seized and the samples were sent to the laboratory for required tests. The officials said that they suspect that the said vaccines can endanger the lives of children as well as adults if administered.

Ravi further told TOI, “A case has been registered under Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940 and notices have been served to the director of the company Venugopala Raju.”

Administering expired medicines will lose their desired effect and might not have the desired effect and it may be life-threatening in some cases as people suppose that they are protected against a disease as they took the required vaccine, but have no clue that they were administered an expired vaccine, which is basically ineffective.