New Delhi

Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that the Centre does not maintain year-wise consolidated data on the production of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), as manufacturing is carried out by multiple public and private entities.

Responding to a query on whether domestic production falls short of demand despite exports, Nadda clarified that healthcare is primarily the responsibility of state and Union Territory governments, including ensuring adequate availability of essential medicines.

He stated that India currently has the capacity to produce around 81.7 million vials of ARV and 17.7 million vials of RIG annually.

According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, exports of ARV and RIG stood at 3,45,270 kg in 2024–25, compared to 2,61,261 kg in the previous financial year.

The minister highlighted that under the National Health Mission, the Centre extends both financial and technical assistance to states and UTs to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, based on their proposals and available resources.

He also noted that funds are provided under the National Rabies Control Programme through the National Free Drug Initiative to support the procurement of ARV and RIG.

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Nadda added that the procurement process for these vaccines and immunoglobulins is decentralised, with states being regularly advised to ensure uninterrupted availability using allocated funds.