Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday issued a warning to the public about a large-scale syndicate involved in the distribution of counterfeit and compromised anti-rabies vaccines. This warning follows a significant enforcement operation in Taguig City.

According to Philippines News Agency, FDA spokesperson Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado revealed that despite the suspects' claims of legitimacy, investigators discovered an illicit facility engaged in repacking and relabeling activities. The facility was altering original product labels and stickers, raising alarms about the authenticity of the vaccines.

The FDA highlighted that while the vaccines may have originated from legitimate sources abroad, their potency was severely compromised due to improper cold chain management. The lack of medical-grade "biorefrigerators," which are essential for maintaining a constant temperature of 2°C to 8°C, posed a significant risk.

"Napaka-delikado po kasi alam naman natin na kapag hindi po epektibo ang mga bakunang in-inject for anti-rabies, maaari din po itong magdulot ng death," Magundayao-Borlado warned, emphasizing the potential fatal consequences of ineffective anti-rabies vaccinations. She further noted that even individuals with strong immune systems could experience allergic reactions.

The raid in Taguig was described as a "big catch" by Magundayao-Borlado, as it targeted a major syndicate that smuggled counterfeit vaccines by concealing them among licensed products. The suspects now face criminal charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 8203 and RA 9711.

The FDA is actively conducting follow-up operations and product tracing to identify individuals who may have been inoculated with these compromised vaccines.

Public safety reminders have been issued by the FDA, urging the public and health facilities to verify vaccine legitimacy through the FDA portal, seek treatment at Department of Health-certified centers, ensure the use of medical-grade biorefrigerators, and be wary of unusually low prices.

Magundayao-Borlado also advised those who have recently received anti-rabies vaccinations to monitor for adverse effects and report them to the nearest health facility. She urged public vigilance and encouraged checking public advisories for flagged products or entities.