Even as the controversy still persisted over the quantum of spurious drugs in the country and the attempt to redefine the counterfeit drugs in line with the WHO instructions, the health ministry has started its much-publicized and much-delayed survey of collecting samples to ascertain the exact percentage of spurious drugs in the country.

The CDSCO has undertaken the survey to assess the extent of spurious drugs in the country based on the study designed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Hyderabad. Around 31000 samples, from different therapeutic categories, have been collected from different zones from the five strata i.e. metro cities, big cities, towns, districts HQ and villages. Now the samples were being sent to the laboratories for testing and assessment, sources said.

Though reports in the international media and studies by industry bodies like ASSOCHAM claimed very high percentage of spurious drugs, the government claimed that they were not realistic and based on the declining market share of original manufacturers of drugs. Government sources said the official tests carried out in the last five years in the Government labs found that only 0.3 to 0.4 per cent of around 40000 samples per annum fall within the category of spurious drugs.

The controversy will be settled for ever with results of the present official survey is out as this was more scientific and encompassing, sources said. It will take a couple of months for testing and then the results would be concluded.

Meanwhile, the government has also intensified steps to fight the menace of counterfeit drugs. Apart from enacting the law to impose stringent punishments, through Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 2007, a number of other measures were also being taken. Specific training program for regulatory officials of State Governments on logistics of intelligence work, prosecutions, etc. has been conducted with the assistance of FDA, Maharashtra. Pharma industry and trade have been motivated to fight menace of spurious drugs as a shared responsibility. Initiative taken by the industry through their network would help in detecting and investigating more number of cases successfully.