In a groundbreaking achievement for Pakistan’s medical science and public health, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has successfully formulated the country’s first-ever indigenous human anti-rabies vaccine at the laboratory scale. This development positions Pakistan on the road to vaccine self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on costly imports and enhancing national health security.
A National Milestone
According to DUHS and pharmaceutical industry officials, this is the first vaccine developed from a locally isolated rabies virus strain—a major first in the country’s history. The vaccine, a purified, inactivated, and lyophilised formulation, has been developed using a native biomolecule, unlike previous versions which relied on Chinese raw materials.
Previously, Dow had launched a vaccine named ‘Dow Rab’, produced from imported Chinese materials. With the lab-scale success of this new indigenous variant, the country is now moving closer to independent large-scale production.
Next Steps: Clinical Trials & DRAP Approval
The vaccine will now move into clinical trial manufacturing for approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). If successful, this could lead to commercial production for local and potentially regional use, especially in areas severely affected by rabies due to dog bites.
The project is funded by the World Bank and implemented through the Higher Education Commission (HEC)—highlighting a strong collaboration between academia and international donors.
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Why This Matters: A Looming Crisis
Pakistan currently imports nearly all vaccines, worth Rs26 billion annually, with help from global partners like GAVI, UNICEF, and WHO. However, this support is set to end by 2031, leaving a projected gap of Rs100 billion annually—nearly four times the current federal health budget of Rs27 billion.
According to Farooq Mustafa, Director of Quality Operations and Biotech at Macter, Pakistan lacks seed banks, robust university-level vaccine R&D, proper clinical trial systems, and modern regulatory frameworks—all critical for developing and launching vaccines locally.
Mustafa warned that unless Pakistan takes urgent steps toward indigenous antigen production and vaccine innovation, the country could face a major healthcare crisis in the near future.
An Opportunity for Reform
This breakthrough is not just a scientific win—it’s a strategic national opportunity. The DUHS success can serve as a blueprint for building Pakistan’s biotech capabilities, strengthening vaccine R&D, and initiating public-private partnerships to create a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.
“This vaccine is more than a medical innovation—it’s a symbol of what Pakistan can achieve when it invests in self-reliance and local talent,” said a DUHS official.
