Ministry to amend Act to penalise fake drug makers

New Delhi: The Health Ministry has initiated processes to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 to bring into effect more strict penalties for those involved in counterfeit drugs.

Food project


The Lok Sabha was informed that the Union Government had also launched a five-year World Bank- aided capacity building project for food safety and quality control of drugs at a cost of Rs 354.25 crore.

The Ministry believes the amendments to the Act will make the drug-related offences, cognisable and non-bailable.

Counterfeit drugs


The Ministry also informed the Lok Sabha that the convenor of the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT ) had discussions with the Drugs Controller General of India recently to increase cooperation in the fight against counterfeit drugs.

Counterfeit drugs has been an issue that both the industry and the Government have been seeking to address since it damages the image of brand India.

India has been among the highest producers of counterfeit drugs.

The Government, which has been a part of IMPACT, the WHO taskforce established early this year, said that both the Government and WHO were resolved to work jointly to combat the menace of counterfeit drugs.