First Pharmasafe India focus on anti-counterfeiting

The first Pharmasafe India, organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, focused on anti-counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical sector

The two-day conference opened with a keynote address by Sudhansh Pant, joint secretary (policy), department of pharmaceuticals, ministry of chemicals and fertilisers, from the Indian Government.

Pant said: “Counterfeit products are not impossible to locate, it is challenging to eradicate it completely and we need industry intelligence networks to be more pro-active in this.

“The significance of dealing with the concept of counterfeiting is in itself unique and I appreciate the organiser’s efforts to draw attention on this present-day vital issue.”

From targeting the source of counterfeit medicines and the effects of parallel trade on the industry to brand protection solutions Messe Frankfurt said the first day of the conference emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts and cooperation among industry and professional bodies.

Day two of the conference highlighted the economic cost of counterfeit medicines and its impact on patient health.

On the second day there was also a live demonstration of a USB Talking Pen Reader Technology for product authentication, a technology fairly new to the Indian market according to Messe Frankfurt, with the potential to detect fake medicines and validate brand credentials of pharma products.

Ajit Singh, chairman, ACG Worldwide said: “Counterfeiting is largely invisible and therefore not much attention has been given to this issue. With this hot subject being taken up in the presence of great speakers and key government representatives, Pharmasafe India has turned out to be an excellent initiative that Messe Frankfurt has taken that aligns with our objective and we would love to be part of it again next year.”

The next edition of the conference will take place at Mumbai in November 2016.