In wake of Nigerian authorities seizing large consignment of fake anti-malarial generic drugs labelled 'made in India' but reportedly produced by some Chinese companies, Indian government has swung into action to restore the image of the industry by asking Embassy of India in Beijing to express serious concern and lodge a strong protest.

"Taking serious note of the action by unscrupulous elements to malign Indian generic pharma industry, Embassy of India, Beijing, has been requested to lodge a strong protest with the concerned Chinese authorities and also to impress upon them to take stringent action against such unscrupulous elements," an official release said here.

Nigerian Government Drug Regulatory Authority (NAFDAC) has reported about the detention of a large consignment of fake anti-malarial generic drug 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 6,42,000 adults would have been affected. The Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria has indicated that the consignment containing Maloxine and Amalar tablets used for treatment of Malaria were valued at 32.1million Naira and were produced, packed and shipped from China, the release said.

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. An effort was made to sensitize the Ministers and senior officials of African nations that Indian generic industry is as safe as its patented versions and is available at much reasonable prices. It was also emphasized that India itself has launched a massive offensive against manufacture and sale of spurious medicines. Drug Controller General of India regularly conducts on-the-spot inspections and lift samples at random. A study of samples of drugs tested all over the country in the last four to five years, reveals that about 0.3 to 0.4 per cent of around 40,000 samples fall within the category of spurious drugs.

"Government's serious concern was expressed to the Ambassador of China at New Delhi by the Department of Commerce, with the request that strict actions be taken against the involved parties, as this act would be seen to be giving credence to the allegations that generic medicines are often counterfeited and further 'Made in India' label would malign India's name. India expects China to take strong measures in this aspect. India would intensify its efforts to strengthen its position on generic medicines in Africa," according to the official statement.

India has acquired a strong position as a producer and exporter of inexpensive generic medicines which can treat with efficacy and safety at par with their patented alternatives, but at a very reasonable cost. Exports of Indian generic medicines have addressed healthcare needs of developing countries. Generic medicines serve the purpose of treating poor people who can ill-afford extremely expensive patented and branded drugs coming from multinationals, largely operating from the developed countries, it said.