After the successful implementation of cluster development programme and the quality circle for the improvement and quality upgradation among the drug units, the Gujarat state board of Indian Drug Manufacturers Association has now initiated an IPR cluster to prepare the small and medium companies to face the market situation under the patent regime not only in the domestic arena but also internationally.

The programme consists of constituting clusters of member units to have common patent consultancy assistance, information and legal advices for taking decisions on introducing products, registering innovative products in various markets and also to study the markets for competing with off patent generic products effectively.

The IDMA State Board had formally inaugurated its first quality circle on December 7, 2002, taking a lead to form quality circle in an effort to meet requirements of revised schedule-M. Since generic pharma market is the most potential for Indian small and medium companies, several of these companies are currently not in position to effectively utilize this opportunity in the absence of updated infor-mation on existing patents, products getting off patented and also the registration formalities.