The Union commerce ministry will ask the Nigerian government to recognize the Indian Pharmacopoeiaa (IP) and  also the WHO GMP units in India which will prove to be a big relief to the small and medium pharma units (SMEs) in the country as once this is recognized they will be in a better position to offer greater basket of products at more competitive prices.

According to sources, the union commerce ministry will take up the issue with DG, NAFDAC, during his proposed visit to India next month. The ministry will include both these issues in the agenda of the meetings between the DG NAFDAC and the senior commerce ministry officials during his proposed visit to India in May this year.

Meanwhile, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil)'s SME panel has been making efforts in this regard. The panel is of the view that since IP is at par with British Pharmacopoeia and US Pharmacopoeia, IP should be recognized by NAFDAC as this will help SMEs to offer greater basket of products and at more competitive prices. Besides, the SME panel of the Pharmexcil argues that since WHO GMP inspection is at par with international standards, therefore many SMEs who are already WHO GMP approved can save time and money if NAFDAC recognizes WHO GMP units in India and abolishes the plant inspection by NAFDAC officials.

In fact a delegation of Pharmexcil's SME panel, comprising its chairman Nipun Jain, committee of administration members Bhavin Mehta and Ashutosh Gupta and others, had an interactive session with the DG NAFDAC in this regard during his visit to Delhi last month. Sources said that the NAFDAC DG had shown interest in the idea and had asked the panel to route the issues through proper government channel.

Exporters opine that the if the two issues are recognized by the Nigerian government, it will go a long way in furthering the cause of the Indian government's 'Pharma India Brand Promotion' efforts, which the Indian government launched in the African countries in the wake of allegations of fake and counterfeit drugs being distributed in African countries. They say that once Nigeria recognises these issues, then the other African countries also follow suit.

Africa contributes 16 per cent of the total pharmaceutical exports but considering the total African requirement, India is not covering more than 25-30 per cent of it. Africa is an emerging market and there is a good scope for Indian drug manufacturers in Africa.