Pharma MNCs Raise Alarm Over Illegal Drug Imports
Multinational pharmaceutical companies are crying
foul over the illegal import of innovator drugs worth crores of rupees into the
Indian market from neighbouring countries and sale by pharmacies, distributors
and websites.
The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of
India, which represents Abbott, Pfizer, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, GSK, Bayer,
Merck and Sanofi, among others, claims the rampant and unchecked import of
innovator drugs was adversely affecting the revenue of India as well as the
companies.
“We have
noticed that the innovator drugs, mostly oncology (cancer) drugs, were being
illegally imported into India through neighbouring countries like Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka,” Kanchana TK, director general of OPPI,
told ET in Hyderabad
recently.
However, it’s not clear if these drugs were
originally produced for domestic consumption in those countries and were
crossing the borders, she said. “We are
also not sure of the quality of these drugs, which are mimicking the brand
names of innovator pharmaceutical giants,” she said, adding that OPPI is
concerned about the safety of patients in India using sub-standard quality
drugs illegally brought into India.
While pointing out that the import of innovator
drugs without valid licences was prohibited and punishable under the Drugs
& Cosmetics Act, 1940, she said the consumption of sub-standard drugs could
lead to sub-therapeutic dosages and drug resistance, which is a major health
concern. OPPI is collating data on the illegal marketing of innovator drugs in
India and will appeal to the health ministry and regulators shortly, she said.
Some least developed countries including Bangladesh
are allowed to produce patented drugs of innovator companies for domestic
consumption. The drugs being illegally imported into India include oncology
drug Crizoncent,
manufactured by Incepta Pharmaceuticals of Bangladesh and Afanix 40, an oncology drug
produced by Beacon Pharmaceuticals of Bangladesh, she said.
Baricinix
2, also
made by Beacon Pharmaceuticals, was found in India even before it was launched
by Eli Lilly, which developed it, said Kanchana. Breast cancer drug Lucilap,
claiming Sri Lanka-based Lucius Pharmaceuticals as its manufacturer, was
offered on some websites.
“As per
market information, some of these companies are not even registered in their
respective countries. One such example is Lucius Pharmaceuticals that is said
to be not a registered manufacturer in Sri Lanka,” said Kanchana. The Drug
Controller General of India, the regulator, did not respond to ET’s queries on
the matter as of print time.
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