Addressing Trademark Loopholes in Pharma: Insights from ETHealthworld NutriWell Conclave

At the 2nd edition of the ETHealthworld NutriWell Conclave, Dr. Shivranjani Santosh highlighted significant concerns regarding trademark loopholes in the pharmaceutical sector. These gaps provide companies a pathway to misuse drug names as trademarks, leading to potential risks in drug labeling and consumer safety.

Tackling Trademark Loopholes: A Call for Collaborative Regulatory Measures

During her impactful address, Dr. Shivranjani Santosh emphasized the need for a "joint regulatory framework" that unites apex regulators, including the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This collaborative effort aims to strengthen market entry scrutiny for pharmaceuticals and improve labeling standards.

Key Issues Presented:

• Trademark Exploitation: Current rules allow companies to manipulate drug trademarks.
• Risks of Mislabelling: Improper labeling can mislead consumers and endanger public health.
• Need for Regulatory Collaboration: A cohesive strategy amongst governing bodies to enforce stricter regulations.

Proposed Solutions:

• Enhanced Scrutiny Mechanisms: Implement rigorous checks that must be cleared before a drug is marketed.
• Unified Regulatory Approach: Combining resources and expertise from CDSCO and FSSAI to ensure comprehensive oversight.

By adopting these measures, we can work towards a safer pharmaceutical landscape that prioritizes transparency and consumer protection. The call to action from this conclave echoes the urgent need for reform in the marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies, ensuring that public health is not compromised by exploitation of trademark regulations.