In response to the seizure of fake drugs, allegedly from China, carrying the 'Made-in-India' tag, the Nigerian drug regulator, NAFDAC, plans to open its office in India, industry sources said Ahmedabad on Thursday.
"The Director General of Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Paul B Orhii, during his visit to the city yesterday expressed his intention to set up offices in India," the Honorary Secretary of the Indian Drugs Association (IDMA), Gujarat State Board, Chirag Doshi told PTI.
The office could be in New Delhi, he said.
Representatives of the Indian Pharmaceuticals Alliance (IPA) and Indian Drug Manufacturers Association suggested to the NAFDAC to register in Nigeria agents who come to India to purchase drugs, Doshi said.
The NAFDAC seized in May a consignment of anti-malarial generic drugs with the 'Made in India' tag, shipped allegedly from China, and the Nigerian government is taking steps to prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the country.
According to industry estimates, Nigeria's pharma market is at USD 10 billion, and 60 per cent of its drug requirements are met through import.
{{/usCountry}}According to industry estimates, Nigeria's pharma market is at USD 10 billion, and 60 per cent of its drug requirements are met through import.
{{/usCountry}}Indian drug companies, especially from the Western region, have a 12-15 per cent share in Nigerian imports, Doshi said.