Authorities in Islamabad have uncovered a major scandal involving the administration of counterfeit vaccines to travelers and pilgrims at the Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC).
An inquiry led by Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, Secretary of the Quality Control Board and Chief Drug Inspector, revealed that individuals requiring mandatory travel vaccines for Saudi Arabia were directed to purchase fake vaccines from a private pharmacy outside the hospital.
The investigation by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) drug control administration highlighted systematic corruption among FGPC staff. According to a national daily, citing a senior health ministry official, the scam involved meningitis vaccines, mandatory for Saudi-bound travelers.
FGPC staff issued prescriptions instructing applicants to buy vaccines from a designated pharmacy before returning for administration. Records of recipients and vaccine details were maintained.
Counterfeit vaccines were found to have been supplied by an unauthorized source. The pharmacy in question was sealed after failing to provide purchase records. Notably, the vaccines’ batch number (U6977QAB) was never imported into Pakistan, as confirmed by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Additionally, discrepancies in expiration dates raised further concerns.
The inquiry recommended implementing strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at vaccination centers, improving traceability, and enhancing surveillance against counterfeit vaccines. DRAP was urged to ensure the availability of essential vaccines to prevent similar incidents.