Drug-exporters have got a much-hoped-for breather on bar-codes, with the Government extending the deadline for bar-codes on primary packs to July 2014.
Last week, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s deferring the implementation of bar-coding on primary level packs was made official. The earlier deadline for drug exporters to adopt the bar-coding technology, that would help track and trace their products, was July 2013.
The Government had brought in a three-tier system to barcode exports on tertiary cartons, secondary packs and primary products, after “Made-in-India” counterfeit medicines (that had originated in China) surfaced in Nigeria. Drug exporters are, at present, required to sport bar-codes on tertiary cartons and secondary packs.
P.V. Appaji, Director-General with the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India ( Pharmexcil), said the industry wants the Government to completely exempt it from having to put bar-codes on primary packs, as the system was not followed anywhere else in the world. It was expensive and not fool-proof, industry representatives had said.
Higher exports
Significantly, pharmaceutical exports — at over Rs 80,000 crore up to March 2013 — have pipped domestic drug sales, estimated at Rs 75,000 crore, Appaji said.
Exports have in the past been less than, or on a par with, domestic sales, he said, adding that it was a significant milestone for exports, as it comes at a time when other global markets and commodities were struggling for growth.
The “real growth” in pharma exports has come in the regulated markets, he said, adding that it highlighted the quality of Indian medicines being sent abroad. The Government’s efforts at bar-coding were meant to help Indian manufacturers shake-off allegations of selling counterfeit and bad quality drugs. To promote India as a destination for quality and sustainable medicines, the Government had last year promoted the Rx India logo.
Later next week, the country’s pharmaceutical products will be showcased at iPhex 2013 in Mumbai. The event is expected to see the global participation of representatives from drug regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical industry.