Dow university develops Anti-Rabies vaccine

A groundbreaking development has emerged from Karachi as the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) introduces its own anti-rabies vaccine (ARV), dubbed DowRab, aimed at addressing the plight of dog bite victims across Sindh.

Statistics reveal a harrowing reality, with approximately one million individuals falling prey to stray dog bites annually in Pakistan. Tragically, this results in an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 deaths each year due to rabies.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad underscores the staggering demand, indicating that the nation requires over 2 million doses of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) annually, with a significant portion imported from India.

Yet, Pakistan finds itself in the grip of a dire shortage of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV), largely stemming from pricing disputes. Importers cite the depreciation of the PKR against the US dollar as grounds for hiking vaccine prices and other biological products.

Regrettably, regulatory authorities remain hesitant to adjust prices, thereby intensifying the scarcity crisis. This standoff exacerbates the challenges faced by both victims and healthcare providers alike in combating the deadly threat posed by rabies.