'Regulation needed to curb sale of fake medicines'

 Showing concerns about sale and use of spurious medicines in the country, experts on Monday said increased use of internet without proper regulation is becoming a problem.

They said India will soon start work on creating a strategy blueprint to curb the growth of spurious and low standard medicines.

“In the US, people go to the internet and check medicines. But there are stringent rules and regulations about how to use medical care through the internet, and these are strictly followed. In India, the use of internet for prescriptions and buying medicines is illegal under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

But we believe this is happening,” said Bejon Misra, founder-director of Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) India. He said a strong and robust dispensing system will help curb the use of spurious medicines. In countries where the use of internet for such purposes is allowed, sub-standard Indian medicines are being sold, bringing a bad name to Indian pharmaceutical firms, he added.

The views were expressed at an international seminar on ‘Patient Safety and Drug Detection Technology’. Representatives of the union health ministry, World Health Organisation and PSM India announced that they will collaborate to ensure that patients’ safety prevails over commercial interest.

They also want to help regain consumer confidence in the existing supply chain.
The need for user-friendly technology to make detection of spurious medicines in the supply chain was the main focus. 

The Centre has started upgrading States’ Drug Testing Laboratories with modern technology and latest rapid-testing equipments. Giving price advantage to companies if they make their technology public beyond the 74 medicines notified in the ‘drugs price control order’ is also under consideration.