The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has sanctioned Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram airports for the import of drugs into the country. This notification was published on May 28, 2024.
It may be recalled that the MoHFW had released a draft notification proposing to permit the import of drugs through Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram Airports. This draft notification was published on February 27, 2024.
The MOHFW has observed that it has not received any objections and suggestions from the public within the prescribed time, hence this draft has been finally notified and published.
These amendments have been introduced in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Now, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram airports will also be locations through which drugs may be imported. Prior to this amendment, drugs could be imported only through airports located at Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Goa, Bengaluru and Visakhapatnam.
This expansion reflects the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical activities and ensures comprehensive regulatory coverage across multiple regions.
