To spot fake drugs, DCGI may introduce trace and track mechanism for top 300 drug brands

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November last year, about 10 per cent of the medicines consumed in low- and middle-income countries, including India, are “substandard and falsified”. In February last year, a two-year-long nationwide survey was conducted under the supervision of the Central government, which found that around 10 per cent of the drugs in the government supply chain are “not of standard quality”. This survey found around 3 per cent of drugs in retail supply chain substandard.

A meeting notice issued by office of the DCGI states that the June 25 meeting will discuss the “modalities” on how to implement this proposal. The notice added: “The top 300 brands have been identified based on moving annual total (MAT) data provided by AIOCD AWACS.” The AIOCD AWACS is a pharmaceutical market research company formed by All Indian Origin Chemists & Distributors Ltd.

The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), in its meeting on May 16, deliberated this matter and agreed for introduction of trace and track mechanism for top 300 pharmaceuticals brands on voluntary basis.”The Board informed that an order may be issued by DCGI to all the concerned to this effect,” stated the minutes of the meeting.