Denying its direct involvement in the door- to-door campaign for the Hepatitis-B immunization programme, the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) has informed that the Revac-B campaign, which was reported in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra is not in the knowledge of the company. Speaking to Pharmabiz.com, Dr Krishna M Ella, chairman, BBIL said that the company suspects that the campaign might be either an attempt by its competitors to ill-repute the company as it had happened in Kolkatta an year ago or by some agencies with vested interests.

He added that since it suspects some other agency''s involvement in the reported immunization camps, the company has started necessary action to investigate on this matter. "The company has not indulged in any door-to- door promotion of our brand Revac-B. We are really shocked to see the Admission Card reportedly sold by the campaigners as this card is neither printed nor supplied by us to anyone. And we are neither collecting nor authorized anybody to collect Rs. 10/- as admission fee as mentioned in the reports," he confirmed. However, the reported campaign has already caused irreparable damage to the company, Dr Ella said.

However, the company has initiated an investigation in this regard as it is seriously suspecting the involvement of some third parties in the said campaign with the intention of making money in the name of the company''s product, the company sources said. The company is planning to file a police complaint about the fake propaganda and has appealed to the public not get cheated with such unethical campaigns.

It may be recalled last week that this portal had reported the instances of some local agencies campaigning door-to-door about a public immunization programme using Revac-B vaccine of BBIL.