Health Ministry moves to amend Drugs Rules 1945 to add new ICDs, SEZ and airport as authorised import points for drugs, medical devices and cosmetics

Key facts

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed an amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945 to expand the network of authorised entry points for importing drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.
• The proposed additional authorised locations include ICD Sonipat, Piyala and Harsaru in Haryana; ICD Dadri and Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh; Gandhidham in Gujarat; and ICD Whitefield in Bengaluru for import of drugs by air.
• The amendment aims to facilitate smoother import operations, improve logistics efficiency and strengthen the healthcare supply chain by allowing consignments to be cleared closer to manufacturing facilities, warehouses and distribution centres.