E-DRUG: IDA: coordinated action needed on seizures of essential medicines
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To whom it may concern,
In the past 8 months and maybe more, the accessibility of essential medicines for developing countries via transit hubs in Europe, especially the Netherlands, has been seriously hindered. Although official reactions have been very limited, it seems the justification is the fight against counterfeit.
IDA Foundation's efforts to get a clear reaction on how and when the conflicting effects on the access to medicines will stop have not been successful so far neither at national ministry level nor at European level.
This is not acceptable for IDA Foundation and we therefore want to continue pushing. For that reason, we ask Indian pharmaceutical companies as well as forwarders that have been subject to unjustified cases to inform us with details of the related shipments, e.g.:
- Generic product name
- Manufacturer and country of origin
- Originator and brand name
- Still under patent (Y/N)
- Date of seizure
- Date of release
- Communicated reason for seizure
This information will allow us to put pressure based on evidence based cases and be more effective in achieving results.
It is IDA Foundation's mission to promote accessibility of medicines.
Your support to our mission by keeping us informed is highly appreciated.
With kind regards,
Edwin de Voogd
Managing director
Marketing department IDA Foundation
Wendy Eggen
[Submitted by:
Evelien van Meerveld
IDA Foundation
Netherlands
evmeerveld@idafoundation.org
--
[additional message:
On June 15 we received a visit from a leading forwarding agent. The
purpose of their visit to Europe is to discuss 4 recent seizures of
medicines involving them as the responsible forwarder. The seizures were
at Schiphol and CDG.
The forwarders frustration is that there is no clear communication how
long it will take before the goods are released again. For this purpose,
they will meet with the head of Air France cargo.
IDA shares the forwarders concern that over the past 6 months neither
local nor European authorities have been clear on their respective
actions. Last month, a consignment of generic amoxicillin was kept in
Frankfurt for almost a month. Most of the generic medicines are
manufactured in India and more and more manufacturers are hurt.
IDA understands that the fight against counterfeit medicines unavoidably
brings along checks on documentation. However, it is unacceptable that
certain consignments take weeks up to months before being released,
especially because of the increasing frequency.
IDA is more and more considering bypassing Europe as a transit hub for
their shipments of ARV's and other life extending medicines. This is
because the letter received by IDA from European commissioners does not
give a clear answer on what we can expect from Brussels and meanwhile
unjustified seizures continue to take place.
Submitted on behalf of Edwin de Voogd
Managing Director IDA Foundation