The government is planning to roll out a unique identification system for exports of pharmaceuticals, to curb the menace of counterfeit drugs and to protect the Indian pharma industry's brand image. The new system, which is likely to be operational in 3-4 months, will ensure that a drug exported from India is actually made in India and is not counterfeit.

"We want to have a technology by which the regulator of a particular country and if possible the consumer has access to information whether it is really made in India or not and some other information as well," said Ashok Kumar, secretary, department of pharmaceuticals.

There have been instances in the recent past of counterfeit drugs labelled as made in India  sold in African countries, tarnishing the image of the Indian drug exporters.

Initially, the system will be introduced for exports to some specific countries. "Currently there are many technology solution available, we are trying to find which for the best and cost effective and whether it can be introduced in specific markets or not," added Kumar.

He said the commerce secretary has asked DGFT to select the technology, which would then be enforced.