Dow University has prepared the dog bite vaccine ‘Anti-Rabies Vaccine’ named ‘Da Rab’

Dow University has prepared the dog bite vaccine ‘Anti-Rabies Vaccine’ named ‘Da Rab’

Dow University of Health Sciences has provided access to the affected individuals of the dog bite vaccine ‘Anti-Rabies Vaccine’ named ‘Da Rab’ through a phone call. Initially, this facility has been introduced in the province of Sindh, which will later be expanded nationwide. The vaccine will be delivered to the desired location within forty-eight hours of a phone call. Professor Muhammad Saeed Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences, inaugurated ‘Da Rab’ in a simple yet dignified ceremony. He stated on the occasion that 30,000 doses of ‘Da Rab’ have been distributed through the network of distribution established by the Dow Institute of Life Sciences on the Ojha Campus, which are prepared from the raw material imported from China. Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Saeed Qureshi expressed determination that the vaccine will soon be made from locally obtained raw materials in Pakistan. Currently, we rely on raw materials imported from China. In a few weeks, efforts are underway to produce an additional one hundred and seventy thousand doses of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine from the raw material obtained from China. It is hoped that success will be achieved in this regard. On this occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Dow Institute of Life Sciences (DILS), Syed Azhar Hussain, Dr. Talat Rumi, Director Marketing Tariq Shahid, Commercial Manager Kamran Asghar, Director Pharma MNP Majib Ali Khan, Director Legal and Administration MNP Manaf Lakhda, and Director Finance Muhammad Tariq Khan, among others, were present. Professor Muhammad Saeed Qureshi said that Dow University has started commercial production of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine after years of sweat research and passing through regulatory phases of the country. The complete course of ‘Da Rab’ will be available for fifteen hundred rupees. It should be remembered that during the days of the Corona epidemic, IVIG Immunoglobulin was prepared which gave new life to hundreds of Corona patients. Earlier, expressions of interest were exchanged between Dow University and the distribution network Millar and FAPS in another ceremony.

On behalf of Dow University, Registrar Dr. Ashar Afaq signed the note. Millar and FAPS will ensure the availability of ARV ‘Da Rab’ phase-wise throughout Pakistan. According to the statistics of the National Institute of Health Islamabad, 20 lakh doses of anti-rabies vaccine are required in the country. At present, the dependence of dog bite vaccine in Pakistan is on imported vaccines. Currently, the shortage of Anti-Rabies Vaccine is 70%. After local production, the availability of ARV will be facilitated in Pakistan. It is worth mentioning here that in Pakistan, almost ten lakh people become victims of stray dog bites every year, as a result of which, according to an estimate, five to six thousand people die due to rabies. According to the report of the National Institute of Health Islamabad, Pakistan needs more than 20 lakh anti-rabies vaccines annually, most of which are imported from India. At present, Pakistan is facing a severe shortage of ARV due to disputes over pricing. Importers claim that due to the decrease in the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, it became necessary to increase the prices of vaccines and other essential products. Local preparations are also expected to stabilize prices.