GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Commerce and Industry:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
RAJYASABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2171
TO BE ANSWERED ON 9.12.2009
Chinese Counterfeit Medicines with Made In India Label

2171. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the counterfeit medicines labelled "made in India" and shipped to Nigeria had actually originated from China and not in India;
(b) if so, whether Government has taken up the issue with the Nigerian and Chinese Governments, given that this could damage the reputation of the Indian pharmaceutical industry in the global market; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?     .

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITY AM. SCINDIA)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. Government of India's attention has been drawn to the press release issued by NAFDAC, Nigerian Government Drug Regulatory Authority, about detention and seizure of a large consignment of fake anti¬-malarial generic pharmaceuticals labelled "Made in India" but produced in China. Taking serious note of the contents of NAFDAC's Press Release, a strong protest was lodged with concerned Chinese authorities with a request. to take stringent action against such unscrupulous elements. Consequent to India's strong protest, the Chinese Government conducted an investigation and found a nexus between Chinese drug manufacturers "and importers in Nigeria. The principal suspects have been caught and their factories sealed. The Chinese Government is taking action against the accused as per their law.