|
India, Germany
Plan Mutual Recognition of GMP Certification
India is likely to sign an
agreement with Germany on mutual recognition of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
certification for drug manufacturing units. A high level delegation is currently
on a visit to Germany to work out the details of the agreement.
According to chemicals ministry
sources, the mutual recognition agreement for GMP standards is almost certain,
as it was Germany that initiated the discussions. "The demand came from them and
we are confident of having Indian GMP certification automatically recognized by
Germany soon", officials said.
A mutual immense help to the
increasing number of Indian generic drug manufacturers who are targeting German
market in a big way. The mutual recognition will also help India to seal similar
agreements with other European countries.
According to the latest figures
of the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS),
the exports to Germany had shown 14 per cent growth during April-July 2006 as
compared to the same period the previous year. It stodd at Rs. 7,966.18 crore as
against Rs. 6,960.47 crore in April-July 2005. The quantity of pharmaceutical
and medicinal products that were exported during the period was Rs. 399.05 crore.
It was Rs. 354.67 crore for the period in 2005. The import of drugs and
pharmaceuticals also showed a slight growth during April-July period this year.
It was Rs. 107.25 crore in 2006 and Rs. 92.13 crore last year.
Germany is known to be the third
biggest pharmaceutical market after USA and Japan. While Indian pharmaceutical
companies have already established their presence in the US, they are in the
process of entering Japanese market in a significant manner. Ministry sources
informed that the generic space in Japan is increasing thereby giving hope to
Indian pharmaceutical industry. With the mutual recognition, entry to German
market would also become smooth.
(Ref : Chronicle Pharmabiz
dated November 30, 2006)
Chennai Based C&D Assn Moots
Medi Linc, A Retail Chain For Small Drug Stores
The Chemists and Druggists
Association - retail (C&D Retail), a Chennai based trade body for small retail
drug stores, has launched a move to bring all small retail drug stores under one
brand name by forming a retail store chain called Medi Linc. The process of
registering the brand name is in progress.
The main objective behind the
move is to ensure the survival of small retail stores in the midst of sudden
growth of big retail pharmacy chains in the state. All the members of the C&D
Retail will strongly support this move. The members of the C&D Retail shops will
initially display boards in front of the shop with a mention of 'A Group of Medi
Linc'. The shops can continue with the same name of the shop and no need to
change their licenses too. Neither the constitution nor the ownership would be
affected.
Speaking about the move, N.
Balaraja, general secretary of C&D Retail Association said, "All the retail
shops are brought under one roof in the form of a retail stores chain. We can
advertise using brand name and we will be charging Rs. 5000 from each member for
the same at a later stage. Such a chain approach should improve their business
too. Shop owners who are interested in joining the chain of retail stores have
to pay Rs. 150 towards the Association."
He said that the growth of chain
retail stores of big companies was affecting small drug retailers for some time.
As it was difficult for individual retail stores to struggle against the big
retailers with strong financial strength, it was better to unite together and
compete against them.
"It is important for the
government to safeguard the small pharmacy stores as they understand the needs
of the local people. Moreover it is the individual pharmacies which can provide
better service to the people and they are more dedicated towards their
profession and the owners themselves are involved in attending to the
customers", he said.
"Only if the shop owners and the
pharmacists stand united can the business expand and only then we will be able
to face the competition from the big chain retail stores", said G. Palani
President of C&D Retail Association.
(Ref : Chronicle Pharmabiz
dated November 30, 2006)
|
