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.