The controversial anti-rabies vaccine purchase issue in Kerala has taken a fresh turn as a writ petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court against including Indian Immunological Ltd. (IIL), the manufacturer of Abhayrab vaccine, in the tender process list of Central Purchase Committee (CPC) of the Kerala Health Department.

According to sources, the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitioner, one M.P. Ayyappan Kutty from Kannur, has demanded in his petition to direct the Government not to award the contract for the IIL's Abhayrab vaccine, as there were reports of complications developed due to administration of the vaccines supplied by the company earlier. Various investigations had revealed that the vaccines were of substandard quality, and there were discrepancies in batch number and packaging, invoice details etc.

The CPC had frozen the supplies and had excluded IIL from the list of approved suppliers of medicines to the Government, following the controversy. Despite this, IIL was included in the tender list under instructions from the Chief Minister of Kerala, said the petitioner.

The petitioner said six other firms, which were found ineligible by the CPC, also figure in the list of tender process for various medicines for the forthcoming year. The move to include these companies amount to corrupt practice as the CPC follows certain guidelines while purchasing medicines. The government should not have included the ineligible firms in the list for tender process, the petitioner told the High Court.

The vacation bench of the High Court comprising of Justice R. Rajendrababu and Justice J.M. James, which admitted the PIL last week, has directed the Government to respond in the case, and adjourned the hearing to first week of May, said sources.

It is to be noted, Dr.V.K.Rajan, former director of Health Services (DHS), Kerala, was removed from the post of DHS a few weeks ago for his alleged involvement in the Abhayrab vaccine purchase issue following a vigilance report. Dr.Rajan had moved the High Court challenging the state Government decision, and the case is pending before the High Court.

The controversy came out two years ago following a complaint of reaction to a patient at the Government District Hospital at Quilon. Following this, Dr.Rajan had ordered to stop supply of Abhayrab vaccine, and the order was given to Aventis Pharma for its Rabipur vaccine. At that time, various quarters and local newspapers in Kerala had reported of alleged corruption in the deal. The inspection wing of the Kerala Finance department also had found the deal caused losses to the tune of over Rs.One crore to the Government exchequer. IIL had moved the High Court challenging the Government decision. This case is also pending before the High Court.

It is to be noted that Aventis Pharma is the market leader in the country for anti-rabies vaccines, and had been the sole supplier to the Kerala government for many years until IIL bagged the orders in 2001.