The Indian Medical Association, Kerala branch says the actions of the state Health Director and other health department officials were right in the controversial anti-rabies vaccine purchase issue. The medical community in the state feels the allegations leveled against two of their colleagues were baseless.

According to Dr. N.V. Marcose, State President and Dr.Jose.M.Malana, General Secretary of IMA, Kerala branch, the Health Director and officials had acted correctly in the anti-rabies vaccine issue.

"When he [Health Director] learnt about the reaction caused to patients by usage of Abhayrab vaccine, he had sent samples for testing, and the lab had reported the five samples were sub-standard. Therefore, DHS came out with the ban order. Since anti-rabies vaccine is an essential drug, orders were given to purchase Rabipur vaccine, which was quoted the second lowest in the tender process. The CPC had been purchasing Rabipur vaccine for many years from this company (Aventis Pharma), and it is of high quality,'' said the IMA office bearers.

The association also expressed concern over the indictment of two doctors in the issue, who had reported the incidents of allergy caused by Abhayrab vaccine.

It also expressed concern over the detainment of Health Director and CPC members by a group of political activists, and another incident of attack on a doctor at the Muvattupuzha hospital, allegedly for demanding bribes.