Navi Mumbai Airport May Join Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram as Drug Import Gateway

The proposed amendment has been issued under the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 12 and sub-section (1) of Section 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The draft rules aim to modify Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which currently authorises Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram airports for the import of drugs.

As per the proposal, the words “Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram” mentioned in Rule 43A will be replaced with “Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) in Raigad, Maharashtra.” The amendment, once finalised, will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The notification stated that objections and suggestions, if any, may be submitted to the Under Secretary (Drugs Regulation), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Kartavya Bhawan, C Wing, New Delhi – 110011. Stakeholders may also submit their responses via email at drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in within the specified consultation period.

The draft notification was issued under file number X.11035/131/2022-DR and signed by Joint Secretary Nikhil Gajraj. The notification also notes that the principal Drugs Rules were originally published in the Official Gazette on December 21, 1945, and have undergone amendments from time to time.

The move is expected to facilitate drug import operations by expanding authorised entry points and supporting growing pharmaceutical logistics and regulatory infrastructure.