INDIA, MALAYSIA MULL PHARMA JOINT VENTURES

Officials have announced that India's government is to welcome joint ventures with Malaysian pharmaceutical companies. Malaysian industry representatives are to attend a conference in India on exploring joint opportunities in October.

Indian companies' involvement in the Malaysian sector is increasing, with leading generics firm Ranbaxy recently constructing a new manufacturing plant in the country. Malaysia's drug market is growing at roughly 8% per year, with imports covering half of demand.

In recent months, Malaysian companies have also expanded abroad. Leading manufacturer Pharmaniaga has been the most active, while foreign firms complain that home-grown firms have been previously able to use lax data exclusivity and patent regulations to their advantage.