Centre proposes 10 new gateways for drug imports, Noida airport on the list
New Delhi: Imported medicines, medical devices and cosmetics could soon be cleared at more locations across the country, with the Union Health Ministry proposing to add ten entry points to India's authorised import network. The list includes Noida International Airport and several inland container depots (ICDs) located in major industrial hubs.
The proposal is part of a draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which specifies the ports, airports, railway stations, road crossings and other locations through which drugs may legally be brought into India. The ministry has invited objections and suggestions on the draft before finalising the changes.
What the draft proposes
Under the amendment, ICDs would be added at Sonipat, Piyala and Harsaru in Haryana; Dadri in Uttar Pradesh; Gandhidham and Mundra in Gujarat; Sanath Nagar and Thimmapur in Hyderabad; and Whitefield in Bengaluru. The Bommasandra Special Economic Zone in Karnataka has also been proposed as an entry point.
Noida International Airport has been proposed specifically for the import of drugs by air. These locations would supplement the existing authorised network, which includes ICDs at Dhannad and Tihi in Indore, along with notified airports and other entry points.
Why the change is being considered
The expansion is expected to make it easier for companies to bring healthcare products into the country and to clear consignments closer to their warehouses, manufacturing units and distribution centres. That, in turn, could reduce transportation costs and the time taken for imported supplies to reach the domestic supply chain.
The draft also covers medical devices and cosmetics, not just pharmaceutical products, widening the range of goods that could move through the proposed locations.
The regulatory context
Import of drugs into India is governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945, framed under it. Under the existing framework, imports are permitted only through notified points, and consignments are subject to clearance by customs and drug control authorities. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is the national regulator for drug imports, working alongside state drug control administrations.
Because the list of permitted entry points is fixed in the Rules themselves, adding a new port, airport or inland depot requires a formal amendment, which is why the ministry has issued the proposal in draft form.
Consultation under way
The ministry has invited objections and suggestions from industry, trade bodies, state governments and other stakeholders. Responses are to be sent to the Under Secretary (Drugs Regulation), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The draft has not yet been finalised, and no timeline for issuing the final notification has been announced. Until the amendment is formally notified, imports will continue to be cleared only through the entry points already listed in the Rules.
