'We are holding a series of meetings with the pharmaceutical industry. The creation of the CDA will be the second step,' Azad said.

Referring to the circulation of fake 'Made in India' drugs in Nigeria, he attributed this to 'unscrupulous elements' taking advantage of the growth of this country's pharmaceutical industry.

'The Indian pharmaceutical industry today has a global presence. Unscrupulous elements are taking advantage of this. It has come to the notice of the government of India that such ('Made in India') drugs have been seized by the Nigerian authorities.

'A probe has revealed that these drugs originated from China,' Azad said.

'There are international ramifications but the assistance of Interpol has not been sought so far,' he said in reply to a supplementary.