Going further on the offensive to improve the image of the Indian pharma industry in the wake of recent seizure of drugs from Chinese companies with `Made in India' labels in Nigeria, the department of the pharmaceutical has invited a team of Nigerian Government Drug Regulatory Authority (NAFDAC) for interaction with the domestic industry and correct the misconceptions, if any.

The NAFDAC team will hold interactions with the stakeholders in the country on August 3 in Delhi when they can get the things clarified on all counts including quality checks prevailing. "We want them to see by themselves and get assured about the quality of Indian drugs. They can clarify their doubts directly with the Indian manufacturers," an official of the department said.

FICCI has been entrusted to organize the interaction between domestic players and the visiting team and has already written to the different pharma associations in this regard. Apart from the officials from the government side, the representatives of associations are expected to attend the meet, as the recent event had dented the image of the country in Africa.

Nigerian Government had reported about the detention of a large consignment of fake anti-malarial generic pharmaceuticals labelled "Made in India" but produced in China. After a laboratory analysis by NAFDAC, the drugs have been found to be fake and had it not been intercepted, about 642000 adults would have been affected. The consignment was containing Maloxine and Amalar tablets used for treatment of malaria, valued at 32.1million Naira and were produced, packed and shipped from China.

Taking serious note of the instance, Embassy of India, Beijing, lodged a strong protest with concerned Chinese authorities and also to impress upon them to take stringent action against such unscrupulous elements. On the other hand, The Centre has launched a mission for brand promotion of Indian pharmaceutical industry in Africa. Recently, a high level delegation led by Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, visited Addis Ababa to meet the African Health Ministers. The proposed meeting between the industry and the Nigerian regulators is another move in this regard to reinstate the image of the pharma industry.