TAGBILARAN CITY – Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado made it crystal clear to office concerned: Conduct an investigation into rabies vaccines sold/distributed in the municipalities, not only government-owned-run, but also those private pharmacies, to find out if these were fake or counterfeit as reported.
The governor directed the PHO and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) to ensure the safety of the people, the efficacy of the vaccines and that the correct process of bidding and regulatory requirements are religiously followed. When the probe is over, the findings should be made public, the governor said.
The capital city upon order of City Mayor Jane Cajes-Yap has already probed via ocular inspection of all rabies vaccines stock in pharmacies in the city. The probe found no single sham rabies vaccines except that some stocks were not in good handling for insufficient in stable temperature, officer-in-charge Dr. Fruserma Uy of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
In a different forum, provincial Board member Dr. Romulo Cepedoza urged PHO to issue a statement informing the public regarding the real score of the rabies vaccines.
As this developed, Dr. Uy said that an investigation has already started to look into the report of a death caused by rabies bite. Report said that a man in Guindulman town died after he was bitten by a dog infected with rabies.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in its advisory No. 2025-1372 dated October 7, 2025 on health warning against purchase, use of unregistered drug products. This particularly the “purified chick embryo cell culture rabies vaccines (Vaxirab N), 2.5 IU Lyophilized powder for solution for injection (IM/ID)”
It said that the drug product made in India is illegally diverted and intended for Indian market. It is manufactured by Zydus Lifesciences Limited, India.
FDA found out after its post-marketing surveillance (PMS) that if verified this drug product has not gone thru registration process of the FDA and has not been issued with proper authorization. Thus, FDA cannot guarantee its efficacy and safety and quality. And it advises that use of such violative drug product may cause potential anger to health.
The manufacture, importation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, promotion, advertising or sponsorship of the product without proper FDA authorization/registration is prohibited based on Republic Act No. 9711, or the FDA Act of 2009.
FDA said that rabies is a life-threatening viral disease that spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animals such as dogs, cats, bats, or other wild animals. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. However, it is preventable through prompt and appropriate administration of rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), when indicated. (Ric Obedencio)
