Chinese-made fake Indian drugs hurt industry's image in Africa

Chinese drugs flooding West Africa with made in India labels are denting the image of India's pharmaceutical industry. They are also hindering its forays in the African markets.

The centre has initiated a mission to promote Indian pharma brands in Africa. A high level delegation, led by joint secretary, department of commerce, visited Addis Ababa  and other countries where it met African health ministers. Another meeting has been planned between the pharmaceutical industry and Nigerian regulators.

Recently, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation had detected three instances of fake imported bulk drugs from China.  (See: Government moves to act against fake Chinese bulk drugs)

"Drugs of Chinese origin are reaching Nigeria with labels saying these are made in India," Pharmexcil executive director PV Appaji said.

According to him, counterfeit drugs and generic violations affect access to low-cost generic drugs.

The Pharmexcil delegation is also expected to visit countries Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia. Three months earlier, a delegation from Pharmexcil had visited Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa.