<p>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has allowed the import of drugs through the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/navi-mumbai-airport-what-will-change-in-your-air-travel-from-december-25-23609043" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">newly inaugurated Navi Mumbai Airport in Maharashtra</a>, increasing the number of designated entry points for pharmaceutical consignments across India to 42 ports.</p>
<p>The decision was taken through an amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which adds Navi Mumbai Airport to the list of airports permitted to handle drug imports.</p>
<p>According to officials, the move is aimed at strengthening the pharmaceutical supply chain, improving logistics infrastructure and making the import process more efficient for businesses involved in the sector.</p>
<h2>Amendment cleared after consultation with advisory board</h2>
<p>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the notification was issued after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.</p>
<p>"The amendment is expected to facilitate smoother movement of pharmaceutical consignments, strengthen logistics infrastructure, and provide greater flexibility to importers by adding a new alternative for import of medicines into India," the statement noted.</p>
<p>Officials said the addition of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/signal-restored-at-navi-mumbai-international-airport-flyers-report-seamless-connectivity-23624978" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Navi Mumbai Airport</a> as an import point will provide companies with another option for bringing pharmaceutical products into the country while maintaining regulatory checks.</p>
<h2>Move aimed at improving ease of doing business</h2>
<p>The ministry said the initiative is part of the government&rsquo;s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework, simplify procedures and improve trade facilitation.</p>
<p>The government said the change is expected to help pharmaceutical companies by providing greater flexibility and reducing logistical challenges.</p>
<p>The measure is also aimed at ensuring effective oversight of imported drugs while improving the efficiency of supply chains in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.</p>
<h2>Earlier changes proposed for drug import procedures</h2>
<p>In June, the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/article/union-health-ministry-extends-qr-code-based-drug-traceability-framework-to-vaccines-antimicrobials-and-anti-cancer-medicines-23636818" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</a> had proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to simplify procedures for obtaining permission to import drugs meant for examination, testing or analysis purposes.</p>
<p>The proposed changes focused on streamlining the process commonly associated with Form 11 permissions.</p>
<p>Under the amendment, an acknowledgement-based system has been introduced for importing small quantities of drugs meant for analytical and non-clinical testing purposes.</p>
<h2>Government expects boost for research and innovation</h2>
<p>According to the ministry, the amendment is expected to reduce the compliance burden on applicants by removing licensing requirements for importing small quantities of drugs for testing and research purposes.</p>
<p>Officials said the move will support research, innovation and faster testing processes in the pharmaceutical sector.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from IANS)</strong></p>

Navi Mumbai Airport gets approval as a new drug import entry point, expanding India’s pharmaceutical import network to 42 designated ports

Navi Mumbai Airport added as new entry point for drug imports in India

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The decision was taken through an amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which adds Navi Mumbai Airport to the list of airports permitted to handle drug imports

Govt permits pharmaceutical imports via Navi Mumbai Airport under new rules

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