Mira Shiva on counterfeits

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Mira Shiva is a big name in medical activism in India.

Below her opinion on counterfeits.

Being shared with NetRUMians.

Vijay

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There is a public Health aspect of the Counterfeit drugs linked to

safety , because of substard contents , wilful adulteration as in the

case of Glycerol - see Lentin Commission Report .

The trade mark violation is a trade issue & must be handled by

another

body & not the inadequately staffed Drug Regulatory System ,

detracting

it from its primary role of Regulating to ensure Safety , Efficacy of

Medicines for Public Health .

For those engaged in the issue of Counterfeit drugs from public

Health

view point , the fact that the changed defination is to protect the

trade interest of the manufacturer is unlikely to be known .

Adding to this is the fact that this changed defination with ,

legal

tools to back it will be used to kill generic competition ,create

insecurity & evenengage generic manufacturers in long drawn legal

battles .

Majority of the people need generic equavalents , because of the

cost factor , much more so in this period of financial crisis .

Earlier WHO defination of WHO on Counterfeit drugs must remain .

Dr Mira Shiva

Initiative for Health Equity & Society

All India Drug Action Network

A 60 Hauz Khas

New Delhi

110016