The central government has cleared two Market Access Initiative (MAI) proposals submitted by the Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (Chemexcil) for anti-AIDS drugs and near patent expiry drugs. While the focus market for the first proposal is South Africa, the other one is meant to tap the future opportunities in the European Union. The government has cleared Rs 3.12 crore as MAI grant for anti-AIDS study and Rs 2.76 crore for the second programme.

The events and programmes that are to be organized in next three years are part of the initiative include detailed market studies, manufacturer delegation, buyer seller meet and participation in pharmaceuticals expo and seminars.

The Chemexcil is known to have decided to begin the market survey for anti-AIDS drugs from Angola as there is no registration required for supplying pharmaceuticals to that country. It is to analyze the existing and potential demand for different anti-AIDS products, understand the IPR issues involved, the regulatory requirements for marketing these products in targeted countries and also know the demand concentration for such products.

The study is to make one understand the best options regarding logistics and distribution channels and help develop buyer databases.

The market study for drugs for which patent protection is nearing end would be conducted in five European languages i.e., French, German, Italian, Spanish and English targeting 90 per cent of the entire EU market.

It is expected that by 2005, the value of western European generics sector would touch $ 20 billion, representing almost 15 per cent of all pharmaceuticals. The global generics market is estimated to be growing at 5 per cent per year. EU is supposed to account for 44 per cent of the total global market.

Chemexcil is known to be in the process of identifying suitable consultancy firms capable of taking up the market studies in the two regions.