CDSCO adds another port for enhancing import of drugs

New Delhi: Through a recent Gazette notification, the apex drug regulatory body Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has apprised about the addition of one more port namely, Inland Container Depot Dhannad, Indore in Madhya Pradesh in order enhance the import of drugs into India.

ICD Dhannad is the first private port of Central India.

In this regard, the Government has made necessary amendments in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. In exercise of the powers conferred under sections 12 and 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940), the Central Government, after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, namely:-

In the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, in rule 43A, after the words “Mundra Port in Gujarat”, the words “and Inland Container Depot Dhannad, Indore in Madhya Pradesh” shall be inserted.

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Rule 43A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 reads;

No drug shall be imported into India except through one of the following places, namely: -

• Ferozepur Cantonment and Amritsar RailwayStations: in respect of drugs imported by rail across the frontier with Pakistan.


• Ranaghat, Bongaon and Mohiassan Railway Stations: In respect of drugs imported by rail across the frontier with Bangladesh.


• Petrapole Road in West Bengal, Sutarkandi in Assam, Old Raghna Bazar and Agartala in Tripura: in respect of drugs imported by Road from Bangladesh.


• Raxual: In respect of drugs imported by road and railway lines connecting Raxual in India and Birganj in Nepal.


• Chennai, Kolkatta, Mumbai, Cochin, Nhava Sheva, Kandla and Inland Container Depots at Tuglakabad and Patparganj in Delhi and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and Marmugao port in Goa: in respect of drugs imported by sea into India.


• Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Goa and Bengaluru: in respect of drugs imported by air into India

However, with the latest amendment, one more port for the import of drugs in the country has been added to the list now. Prior to the amendment, the Government had invited suggestions from stakeholder via a draft published on 12th March 2019. However, no objections or suggestions were received from the stakeholders and the amendment came into effect from September 13, 2019.

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