New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- Zambia has for the first time mandated pre-export checks of all Indian medicines destined for the African nation in a bid to curb the entry of substandard, adulterated and fake drugs.

Starting 1 October, every medicine consignment must undergo document checks, physical inspection and quality testing by a laboratory appointed by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA). Only after a Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) certificate is issued will these medicine consignments be cleared by Zambian customs.

"This regulation is being implemented to curb the entry of substandard and falsified medicines into the Zambian market and applies to all pharmaceutical products exported from India," the Pharmaceut...