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New tech to aid Govt keep tab on drug exports
By siliconindia
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Thursday, 08 July 2010, 23:36 IST |
7 Comments
New Delhi: The government, in a bid to track the export of medicines, is turning to the aid of technology. There is a need for preventing drugs from getting duplicated so as to protect the image of local exporters. This is where technology can come to the rescue of the drug makers, reports Khomba Singh of The Economic Times.
The commerce ministry has asked Pharmexcil, a body of Indian drug exporters, set up by the commerce & industry ministry, to find a way to monitor medicine shipments.
The problem of duplicate drugs has marred the country for a long time now. Markets in U.S. and Europe have repeatedly indicted Indian firms of making counterfeit drugs. Even now, where medicines carry manufacture and batch number details, they can be easily duplicated. Again then, the local drug manufacturers are censured.
"The government wants to ensure the Indian drug industry's name is not tarnished. The plan is to create a robust process approved by the drug regulator of each country where Indian firms export their products," said Smitesh Shah, Chairman, Pharmexcil.
Every year medicines worth over 
40,000 crore are exported from India, at a growth rate of 15 percent. Out of this, 0.3 percent medicines are spurious in India and about five percent are counterfeit, as per a health ministry study.
Consultancy firm E&Y have been appointed by Pharmexcil to synchronize among drug makers, packaging and supply chain firms to identify the most appropriate technology. The report will be submitted to the government in the upcoming two three months.
Bilcare, a Pune based company, has recommended use of radio frequency technology to track the medicines, right from the moment it is shipped till where it will be consumed.
40,000 crore are exported from India, at a growth rate of 15 percent. Out of this, 0.3 percent medicines are spurious in India and about five percent are counterfeit, as per a health ministry study.
Consultancy firm E&Y have been appointed by Pharmexcil to synchronize among drug makers, packaging and supply chain firms to identify the most appropriate technology. The report will be submitted to the government in the upcoming two three months.
Bilcare, a Pune based company, has recommended use of radio frequency technology to track the medicines, right from the moment it is shipped till where it will be consumed.
