Strengthening Community-Based Access to Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Despite significant strides in policy, legislation, and national programming, the Philippines continues to report preventable human rabies deaths—primarily due to gaps in access, continuity of care, and local health system readiness. The National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP) provides a clear strategic direction for rabies elimination by 2030, yet progress depends not only on public investment, but also on the strength of local delivery mechanisms and public-private coordination.
This paper outlines how One Top Medical Systems Resources, Inc., as a private distributor of WHO-prequalified anti-rabies vaccine ChiroRab, contributes to addressing persistent implementation bottlenecks at the municipal and community levels. Through vaccine availability, rural logistics, and clinic support, the company complements state-led service delivery with responsive, systems-aligned contributions that advance the NRPCP strategic outcomes.
The NRPCP identifies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) completion as a critical determinant in rabies prevention. However, three long-standing constraints remain evident in operational contexts:
Geographic and financial inaccessibility: In rural municipalities, the distance to accredited Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) often exceeds 15–30 kilometers, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
Limited local-level capacity for PEP administration: While national ABTCs have increased in number, clinic-based delivery at the barangay level remains uneven, with few private clinics equipped to manage full vaccination regimens.
Fragmented vaccine supply systems: Stock-outs and cold chain issues persist at the local level, particularly where rural health units (RHUs) are under-resourced or reliant on centralized procurement.
These challenges result in incomplete treatment, vaccine hesitancy, and increased household vulnerability to rabies mortality.
ORDER FORM
MAKE YOUR ANIMAL BITE CENTER OR MEDICAL FACILITY READY TO ASSIST ANIMAL BITE PATIENTS AND KEEP THEM SAFE FROM RABIES INFECTION
Rabies remains a pressing public health issue in the Philippines, a nation that grapples with high rabies prevalence and an alarming number of fatalities annually. Despite being a 100% vaccine-preventable disease, rabies still claims hundreds of lives each year, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting 169 cases in just the first half of 2024, 160 of which were fatal. As frontline facilities, Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) play a critical role in addressing this challenge by ensuring that individuals exposed to rabid animals receive timely and effective treatment.
The introduction of ChiroRab, a globally trusted rabies vaccine distributed by One Top Medical Systems Resources, offers an opportunity to enhance rabies prevention efforts across the country.
Why ChiroRab Is the Ideal Vaccine for ABTCs
Proven Efficacy and Safety
ChiroRab is a second-generation Purified Chick Embryo Cell (PCEC) vaccine, prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO). With over 80 million doses administered globally, it has demonstrated:
- High Potency: Each dose contains ≥2.5 IU of inactivated rabies virus, meeting WHO standards for protective rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (RVNA) levels.
- Safety Across Populations: Suitable for children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Clinical trials have shown minimal side effects, with local reactions such as mild injection site pain being self-limiting.
Versatile Vaccination Schedules
ChiroRab offers flexibility in vaccination regimens, enabling ABTCs to cater to diverse patient needs:
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Administered on Days 0, 7, and 21 or 28.
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Administered on Days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, often combined with rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) for high-risk exposures.
Simplified Storage and Handling
ChiroRab is stable when stored at +2°C to +8°C, making it ideal for ABTCs in remote areas where maintaining a consistent cold chain can be challenging.
Contribution Areas of One Top Medical Systems Resources, Inc.
As a national distributor of ChiroRab, a WHO-prequalified PCEC rabies vaccine, One Top Medical Systems Resources, Inc. (OTMSR) plays a complementary role in accelerating local-level rabies response through the following contributions:
1. Decentralized Vaccine Provisioning
OTMSR enables small clinics, RHUs, and LGU-managed health stations to access globally recognized rabies vaccines in line with DOH protocols. Procurement options are designed to accommodate:
-
Bulk or small-batch ordering depending on clinic capacity
-
Support for intradermal (ID) and intramuscular (IM) regimens, consistent with WHO recommendations
2. Support to LGU Health Systems
OTMSR complements LGU planning by:
-
Mapping geographic gaps in bite center coverage
-
Coordinating supply to support barangay-based treatment points
-
Assisting in design of public-private procurement mechanisms that expand vaccine availability with minimal fiscal burden on local governments
-
Supporting information campaigns that localize rabies risk awareness through visual and clinic-based materials
To further leverage private sector support for NRPCP outcomes, the following policy considerations are recommended:
Encourage LGUs to partner with licensed distributors such as OTMSR for continuous local stock of PEP vaccines, especially in non-ABTC settings.
Support the integration of private bite centers into municipal health planning, ensuring that decentralized service points are equipped, trained, and resourced.
Enable PhilHealth and DOH reimbursement mechanisms to include private clinics offering PEP, in line with cost-reduction goals.
Institutionalize LGU-private mapping exercises to identify geographic bite care gaps and structure investments accordingly.
📩 Contact and Partnership
One Top Medical Systems Resources, Inc. is committed to supporting the Philippine government’s vision for a rabies-free future. We welcome consultations with LGUs, provincial health offices, clinic networks, and policy stakeholders.
