PSM India Initiative Brings Together Government, Industry and Health Care Stakeholders to Help Stop the Spread of Spurious Medicines
PSM India Initiative Brings Together Government, Industry and Health Care Stakeholders to Help Stop the Spread ofSpurious Medicines
Organisation Hosts Second National Training Workshop on “Secured Medicines & Robust Pharmacovigilance
MUMBAI (26 August 2013) – The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) India Initiative, a public health organisation dedicated to protecting consumers from spurious and not-of-standard medicines, today hosted its second event in less than a week to discuss near-term solutions that help train health care professionals, patients, consumer groups and other stakeholders throughout India and beyond.
Public and private sector leaders joined together to evaluate the program’s success since its launch in 2010, as well as to identify challenges that lie ahead in establishing quality initiatives to ensure a secured drug distribution system for consumers across India.
“Following a successful forum in Bengaluru, we are continuing a critical and timely discussion that has the potential to positively impact millions of patients in India,” said Bejon Misra, trustee of the Consumer Online Foundation and founder of PSM India Initiative. “Patients deserve the safest possible medicines and our country as a whole will only benefit as a result of providing them.”
Recent data collected by Drug Inspectors across India reveals that the extent of not-of-standard medicines varies between 4.5 and 7.5 percent. Arrests stemming from the sale of fake drugs rose from 12 in 2006 to 147 last year; $6.5 million worth of drugs were seized over the same period.
“Education and empowerment go hand in hand when addressing the threat posed by spurious and not-of-standard medicines,” said Scott LaGanga, executive director of PSM. “The PSM India Initiative is an example of what’s possible when all stakeholders come together. However, this is and always will be a borderless challenge that requires conversation and long-term action. We commend Bejon and his colleagues for leading this effort.”
“The people of India who aren’t aware of the medicine they’re taking should know the quality and where it comes from,” said Sri U T Khader, Hon’ble Health Minister, Karnataka, at Friday’s event in Bengaluru. “They should know what they’re consuming.”
“We have to empower the consumers,” said Dr. G. N. Singh, DCGI, Govt. of India. “Let there be light and let people be empowered. That is the India we are seeking today”
Guest speakers at the Monday’s forum included, Mr. C. P. Singh, IAS, Chairman, NPPA; Dr. V G Somani, Joint Drugs Controller India, Dr. Surinder Singh, Director I/C National Institute of Biologicals, Mr. Mahesh Zagade, IAS, FDA Commissioner, Govt. of Maharashtra, Dr. Sanjay Oak, Vice Chancellor, D Y Patil Medical University, Mumbai and Dr. Pervez Ahmed, a leading Private Sector Healthcare Provider and Vice Chairman, PSM India Initiative.
About PSM India Initiative
Launched in December 2010, the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) India Initiative brings together stakeholders working to eliminate the threat posed by spurious and not-of-standard medicines. This initiative is managed by a group of eminent Board Members drawn from various professions and led by Consumer Online Foundation, which is a registered not-for-profit Consumer Organisation supported by various organizations including the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers (Department of Pharmaceuticals) and World Health Organisation India Office, among others. For more information on PSM India Initiative, please visit www.safemedicinesindia.in. To access the toll-free helpline, dial 1800-11-44-4424.