Earlier this week, I described the India drug controller's, GN Singh, plan to prohibit the use of brand names in selling drugs. This is an effort to promote generics' use to reach a greater portion of the population and to save money for the government. I had the impression that it was aimed at the multi-nationals operating in India.
Indian Drugmakers To Fight Brand-Name Rule // Pharmalot.
However, the local Indian Drugs Manufacturer Association is the first to voice a vehement dissenting response to this concept. They contend the controller has NO jurisdiction on the use of brand names and pledge to fight this legally if necessary.
"Just as you cannot tell a carmaker or a chocolate maker to stop branding their products, you cannot ask pharma companies to do away with branding their products," said Vinay Pinto, managing director of Wallace Pharma.
Ironically, the trade association that represents foreign multi-nationals is taking more of a wait and see approach. The government has indicated a desire to get comment on this proposal and the MNCs want to participate in that exercise first. This story has more to come.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Oct 19th 2012.
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