Mexican Firms Call for Release of New Generics

Mexican drugmaker QUIFA has called on the government to publish rules obliging firms to demonstrate product bioequivalence and bioavailability for new generics. Mexico finally approved the measures in early 2005, but the full text remains undisclosed.

Local generics-based firms' complaints are understandable, as the amendment to Article 37 of the country's General Health Code is expected to boost consumer confidence in genuine generics. At present, the sector is currently estimated to account for only 2.3% of the market -- significantly less than that of illegal copy products.