Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia too planning anti-counterfeit legislations despite India's caution

Even as India has been exhorting the African nations not to fall prey to the designs of the multinationals by enacting anti-counterfeit laws to block generic supply, and the public interest groups worldwide are expressing concerns on such moves that would hamper access to medicines, more African countries are moving ahead with the plans in this direction.

After Kenya started the trend last year by enacting a law which virtually equated generics as counterfeit drugs, now Uganda has started deliberations on a similar law while Tanzania and Zambia are also considering the option, it is learnt. Notwithstanding the advice on one hand from Indian authorities and stiff resistance from Indian generic industry on the other hand, the multinationals and the developed nations are trying to prevail upon the African nations, say the public interest groups.