Indonesia to revamp drug agency following fake vaccine scandal

Indonesia has ordered the immediate revamping of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the successful police investigation uncovering the selling, importing and utilisation of a fake child vaccine.

As reported by Reuters, the vaccine had been used by hospitals, pharmacies and clinics for more than a decade until it was uncovered last month.

The scandal has reportedly caused public outrage as it exposed major government failure to ensure drug safety.

So far fake vaccinations for hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, among others, have been discovered in Jakarta and Java, but there have not been any deaths reported that could possibly be linked to the case.

Pramono Anung, cabinet secretary, reportedly said in a statement last Friday: “We can’t be half-hearted with this vaccine problem, and yesterday the president decided to immediately restructure the (food and drug agency).”

The FDA allegedly knew of the fake vaccines since 2013.

There have been 18 arrests so far, while 14 health facilities were exposed by the government last Thursday as being involved in the scandal.

Parents of children who may have received the fake vaccine have been offered to be revaccinated under a government programme, which is due to be launched this week.