[Ip-health] Economic times on counterfeit, Indian co and NGOs

[Sangeeta]

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Healthcare__Biotec
h/New_definition_of_counterfeit_worries_drug_cos_NGOs/articleshow/3720764.cm
s

New definition of counterfeit worries drug cos, NGOs
17 Nov 2008, 0045  hrs IST, Khomba Singh & Sushmi Dey, ET Bureau  NEW DELHI:
The Indian drug industry and public health interest groups have voiced
strong concerns over the new definition of counterfeit drugs

  that has been proposed by a WHO-funded body. They also fear that the
softer stance of the government and its decision to attend the meeting of
this body, allegedly backed by global pharma MNCs, may block drugs export by
Indian companies.

 The drug controller general of India (DCGI) on Friday met few industry
bodies and NGOs to take their views ahead of a IMPACT (International Medical
Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce) meeting which will take place in
Germany later this month. IMPACT is a WHO body founded in 2006 to address
the issue of counterfeit drugs.

 The new definition proposed by IMPACT considers drugs as counterfeit if
there is a false representation about its identity, history or source.
Besides, if similar deviations are found in packaging, container and
labelling, the drugs will also be deemed counterfeit, even if they contain
the right chemical ingredient. "This is not about quality. An attempt is
being made to link packaging and labelling with the efficacy and quality of
drugs , " an industry source who was part of the meeting said.

 Indian drugmakers have now emerged as a key player in the global drug
industry and have eaten into the business of global majors. As patent of
most top blockbusters drugs are set to expire in the next few years, global
pharma companies are under pressure to maintain their sales.

Indian industry players say global pharma MNCs are now putting up barriers
in different forms to block India made drugs.  Earlier in May this year, the
Indian health ministry and the industry had jointly opposed the definition
of counterfeit drug as suggested by IMPACT.





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