With a view to address the issues arising due to changing dynamics in the global market, the ministry of commerce recently held a high level inter-ministerial meeting with Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) in Delhi.  The meeting primarily focused on reviewing various activities undertaken by the Council for the promotion of exports of Indian pharma products across the world, while developing newer ways to promote the power of Brand India

The Ministry is said to have arranged this meeting to review and assess the facts behind the damaging media reports published in the recent times, questioning the quality of drugs manufactured in India. A reliable source from the industry pointed out that the government is extremely concerned over such reports as it may have a maligning effect on the reputation of the Indian pharma industry. Thus, keeping in view the latest media reports, the Ministry plans to take pro-active measures towards damage control exercise by setting up an inquiry on the reliability of these reports, so as to take requisite steps.

Further, to ensure that the quality parameters do not become an issue for the exporters, the commerce ministry is also planning to have a closed door meeting with the health ministry and the CDSCO to discuss the same. It is understood that the top officials also deliberated and discussed upon various other export related problems faced by the industry so as to ensure that the exports from the country is not affected in the long run.

According to Pharmexcil director general, Dr P V Appaji, the commerce ministry is very serious on encouraging the brand India promotion initiative and has agreed to give Pharmexcil its full support to go ahead with all their initiative targeted to further strengthen and promote the brand India globally.

“The government is determined to see to it that the reputation of 'Brand India' is not affected due to all this issues, however the commerce minister has also warned the industry that no compromise will be dealt with respect to quality of the products. He has assured that the ministry will take all the possible steps to help with the challenges of the exporters, at the same time has urged them to collaborate and support the government in all their decisions,” Dr Appaji stressed.