Navi Mumbai Airport May Join Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram as Drug Import Gateway
New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a draft notification proposing to amend the Drugs Rules, 1945 to include Navi Mumbai International Airport as an authorised airport for the import of drugs.
The draft rules were published through a notification dated January 28, 2026, in the Gazette, after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board. The Central Government has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public, which will be considered after the completion of a 30-day period from the date when copies of the Gazette containing the draft rules are made available to the public.
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.
