The World Health Organisation has recently issued an alert over fake versions of Covishield, the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine that has been identified in Africa and South East Asia.
In the month of July and August 2021, the WHO has reported the false products that are circulating in the market. The actual manufacturer of Covishield, the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. has confirmed that the products registered in this alert are fake, therefore, these false products have been reported at the patient level in Uganda and India.
There is a serious risk to global health
The circular released by WHO said that these fake COVID-19 vaccines pose a serious threat to global public health and place an additional burden on the exposed population and health systems. Hence, it is important to detect and remove these fake products from rotating in the market to prevent harm to patients.
As this can cause harm to the patients, so it is important to detect and remove these forged products from circulation to prevent harm mentioned in the circular of WHO.
The products have been confirmed as fake which are identified in this alert and on the basis that they deliberately or fraudulently misrepresent their identity, composition or source. It is to be noted that Covishield 2ml was found in the Indian and Ugandan market. But the fact is SII does not produce this vaccine in 2ml (4 doses).
Advice to regulatory authorities and the public
The World Health Organisation has requested to increase the vigilance on the circulation of this product, within the supply chains of countries and regions likely to be affected by these products.
It has been urged by WHO that the Hospitals, clinics, health centers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, and any other suppliers of medical products must be vigilant about these products and identify these fake products. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The authenticity of the products and physical condition should be cautiously checked.