New Delhi, June 11(ANI): The Indian Government on Thursday said it would be lodging a protest with China against fake anti-malarial ‘Made in India” drugs detained by Nigerian authorities, as the consignments which originated from China was damaging the Indian pharmaceutical industry.

“Taking serious note of the action by scrupulous elements to malign the Indian generic pharma industry, Embassy of India in Beijing, has been requested to lodge a strong protest with concerned Chinese authorities and also to impress upon them to take stringent action against such scrupulous elements,” a Commerce Ministry statement said.

Nigerian Government Drug Regulatory Authority (NAFDAC) has reported the detention of a large consignment of fake anti-malarial generic pharmaceuticals labelled “Made in India”, but produced in China.

According to India’s High Commissioner in Nigeria, the consignment containing Maloxine and Amalar tablets, used for the treatment of malaria, were valued at 32.1 million Naira and was produced, packed and shipped from China.

“After a laboratory analysis by the NAFDAC, the drugs have been found to be fake and had it not been intercepted, about 642,000 adults would have been affected,” the report said.

An effort was also made to sensitize the ministers and senior officials of African nations that Indian generic industry is as safe as its patented versions and is available at much reasonable prices. It was also emphasized that India itself has launched a massive offensive against manufacture and sale of spurious medicines.

India has acquired a strong position as a producer and exporter of inexpensive generic medicines which can treat with efficacy and safety at par with their patented alternatives, but at a very reasonable cost. (ANI)