The drug exporters of the country have asked the Drugs Controller General of India to streamline the functioning of DCGI offices in various ports. The DCGI has been requested to issue uniform guidelines to the port officials to expedite smooth and speedy clearance of imported drug samples as well as inputs needed for value added exports.

The Basic Chemexcils, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (Chemexcil) has taken up the cause of the exporters and is known to have decided to prepare a draft guideline for working of Port offices of the DCGI. The Pharma Panel of the council is to work on the draft to be submitted to DCGI in its forthcoming meeting scheduled on April 30, here.

Chemexcil has informed DCGI that a guideline would help clearance of "inputs needed for export production, specially the excess quantity of unregistered products that comes to the ports due to packing constraints. The council felt that such products should be released based on a bond which ensures that the excess product will be exported in future export consignments.

The Pharma Panel is to apprise the members on the status of issue of RCMC, MDA claims, DPEB and Drawback fixation norms applications and also details of overseas enquiries received during the period.

The panel would also discuss strategies to enhance exports by making use of the Focus Programme of the Ministry of Commerce.