Counterfeit and substandard medicines are still harming the reputation of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and endangering the wellbeing of patients, according to a recent survey.

A new report reveals that levels of counterfeit and substandard drugs still affect India's domestic pharmaceuticals market. "A Safe Medicines Chest for the World", released today by International Policy Network (IPN), shows that 7 per cent of drugs purchased from wholesale traders were substandard, half of which contained no active ingredients whatsoever. Some of the spurious drugs contained chalk or talcum powder mixed with a pain reliever to trick and defraud the patient.

During interviews with pharmacists 92 per cent said they have been offered substandard or spurious drugs for cheaper prices, while a quarter had been asked for bribes. Such corruption raises doubts over the effectiveness of imposing more regulation on the industry. Instead, producers of high quality medicines must be able to defend their trademarks from counterfeiters, and courts must be able to process cases more fairly and efficiently.

The report is based on the survey done by Liberty Institute, Delhi with support from Legatum Institute.

to read the report, select the link above