Health Ministry move strengthens pharma logistics and trade facilitation at new airport.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the import of drugs through the newly opened Navi Mumbai Airport in Maharashtra, increasing the number of authorised entry points for pharmaceutical consignments to 42, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which includes Navi Mumbai Airport among the approved airports for drug imports, is expected to enhance pharmaceutical supply chain efficiency and improve ease of doing business in the sector.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the notification was issued following consultations with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The ministry added that the amendment is expected to streamline the movement of pharmaceutical consignments, strengthen logistics capabilities, and offer importers greater flexibility by providing an additional gateway for bringing medicines into India.
Regulatory framework
The initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the regulatory system, facilitate trade, and improve ease of doing business while maintaining robust oversight of imported medicines, the ministry said.
In June, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, aimed at simplifying the process for obtaining approval to import drugs for examination, testing, or analysis through the commonly used Form 11.
The amendment introduces an acknowledgement-based mechanism for importing small quantities of drugs intended for analytical and non-clinical testing purposes.
According to the ministry, the move will significantly reduce compliance requirements for applicants by removing licensing obligations for the import of limited quantities of medicines used for testing and research purposes.
The reform is expected to encourage research and innovation while improving ease of doing business in the pharmaceutical sector, allowing start-ups and companies to begin testing and analysis activities more efficiently.
