London - The world is running out of one of the most effective snakebite vaccines, putting tens of thousands of lives at risk, experts have warned.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said it is facing a “real crisis” as stockpiles of Fav-Afrique will expire in June, with no alternative available for at least two years.
About five million people are bitten by snakes every year, resulting in 100 000 deaths, while about 400 000 suffer amputations or disabilities.
Fav-Afrique, which can cost more than £300 (about R5 400) per dose, was produced by French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur, but it stopped production last year after claiming it was being driven out by cheaper competitors.
It is usually bought by aid groups for use in undeveloped countries.
As the rival vaccines are less effective, Sanofi Pasteur has offered to hand over its anti-venom formula to others to manufacture it.
Daily Mail