The drugs control department of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has begun a serious investigation into the presence of look-alike drugs / food supplements within its territory. The random samples collected from various retail outlets of the region recently show that the trend of "imitation" is not confined to the well established brands of major pharma companies alone, but is even into the imitation of popular brands of local companies.

Some of the recent drugs and their look-alike products that came to the notice of Delhi Drugs Administration Folvbion (Polybion), Combiflam Tabs (Comiflam Tabs), Betadine Ointment (Becadine Ointment), Metal Spas Tabs (Spasma Petron Caps), Su' Cold Total Tablets (D' Cold Total Tablets), Diclowin Plus Tablets (Diclomin Plus Tablets), Baralgan Tablets (Baragin Tablets) and Crocin Tablets (Crosin Tablets).

Asked about the action that has been initiated against the distributors of these products, senior officials said that they are not in a position to take any action in most of the cases, as they have been approved by some state drugs control department or other.

"However, we are sending the samples of all these products to test the potency and efficacy of the drug. If they are found to be spurious, we can inform the concerned drug controller to initiate action against the company. If it proves to be sub-standard, the entire lot can be confiscated. Even if they prove pass the potency tests, we are thinking of writing to the departments informing them of the resemblance of these products with established brands," they said.

It should be recalled that Delhi is the only state in the country that has asked the applicants of marketing license to produce a search certificate from the Registrar of Trade Marks.

Meanwhile, the SSI sector is voicing protest against the drug department's insistence for trademark search report. According to J R Agarwal, chairman, MP State Small Scale Drug Manufacturers Association, the regulatory authorities do not have the power to issue approval for a "brand". "Trade mark is not of their concern. The department is there to see the quality of the product," he opines.

While the argument continues, there are plenty of look-alike drugs that are not drugs at all. For instance, the drug officials came across R Bi Tone, which looks exactly like R B Tone manufactured by Medley Pharma Thane, Mumbai. While the latter is a drug which has the approval from Maharashtra Drug Authority, R Bi Tone is not meant for medicinal use. The product, manufactured by MRS Pharmaceuticals, again a Thane based company, is syrup for food vigour and strength. Authorities informed that they are referring all such cases to the Trade Mark Registrar.