No Shortage of Anti-Rabies Vaccine, Rabies Immunoglobulin in India: J.P. Nadda

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday stated that there is no shortage of Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) and Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) in India, emphasizing that supply in the country exceeds domestic demand.

Responding to supplementary queries during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said there is sufficient availability of both RIG and ARV, supported by a real-time tracking system to ensure consistent supply. "There is no shortage of ARV and RIG in the country. We should shed this thought that there is a shortage," Nadda said, adding that there is no need to halt exports.

He noted that rabies, primarily caused by animal bites, remains a fatal disease.

India has an annual installed production capacity of approximately 8.17 crore vials of ARV and 1.77 crore vials of RIG, he said.

The minister further stated that around 58 lakh animal bite cases are reported annually, including approximately 47 lakh dog bite cases, indicating that existing supply is sufficient to meet demand while maintaining surplus for exports.

He added that healthcare is a state subject, and the responsibility for distribution of RIG and ARV lies with respective state governments.

In a written reply, the minister clarified that consolidated year-wise production data is not centrally maintained, as manufacturing is carried out by multiple public and private sector entities.

"Under the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) funds have been allocated through NHM to States/UTs under National Free Drug Initiative (NFDI) for purchase of Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) and Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV). Procurement of RIG and ARV is decentralised," Nadda said.

He also noted that advisories are regularly issued to States and Union Territories to ensure uninterrupted supply of ARV and RIG through funds allocated under the NFDI.

"Health is a State subject, the responsibility of strengthening the public healthcare system lies with the respective State/ UT governments. Under National Health Mission (NHM), the government provides technical and financial support to States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare systems based on the proposals submitted by them in their Program Implementation Plans, subject to norms & availability of resources," Nadda said.

According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, exports of RIG and ARV stood at 64,131 kg and 2,81,139 kg, respectively, during the 2024–25 fiscal.