Centre proposes more import gateways for drugs and medical devices
The Union Health Ministry seeks to add several inland container depots and an international airport to improve supply chain efficiency.
The Union Health Ministry has proposed adding new entry points for the import of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics, according to a report by BusinessLine.
The proposed amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, aims to include additional inland container depots (ICDs), a special economic zone (SEZ) and an international airport to speed up clearance processes.
The new locations include ICDs at Sonipat, Piyala and Harsaru in Haryana; Dadri in Uttar Pradesh; Gandhidham/Mundra in Gujarat; Sanath Nagar and Thimmapur in Hyderabad; and Whitefield in Bengaluru.
The ministry also suggested including the Bommasandra SEZ in Karnataka and Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh for air imports. These sites would join the current network, which includes ICDs at Dhannad and Tihi in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said the expansion should allow importers to clear goods nearer to their warehouses and manufacturing sites, which could lower logistics costs and inland transport distances.
The move intends to reduce delays in moving imported products and improve availability across regions. Stakeholders can now send objections or suggestions to the Under Secretary (Drugs Regulation) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.