The Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (Chemexcil) has submitted a detailed set of guidelines for export and import clearances of drugs and pharmaceuticals at port offices to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

The DCGI is known to be planning to call for a joint meeting of the port officers and Chemexcil for discussing the issues highlighted by the council and taking remedial measures.

The guidelines submitted by the council want port offices of DCGI to function from 10.00 A.M. to 6.00 P.M. on all weekdays including Saturdays. It wanted the port offices to clearly display the documents required to be submitted for clearance of export and import shipments separately. The guideline has asked for a display of the latest list of narcotics and psychotropic substances issued by Narcotic Control Bureau and any other banned items for the benefit of exporters.

"Sample of products, if drawn, should normally be referred by rotation to Approved Testing Laboratories located at the port cities. The DCGI's office should display the copy of annual approved rates for such tests by minimum three such Laboratories in its office. Only in cases where an approved Laboratory cannot perform the required test then only it should be sent to CDL Calcutta for testing and drugs imported should be released on letter of guarantee." Chemexcil suggested. It also wanted sufficient staff posted in the port offices.

According to Lalit Kumar Jain, chairman, Pharma Panel, the council also asked DCG (I) to give clear instructions to the customs department for referring only such Bill of Entries for drugs NOC, which are classified as drug under the Drug & Cosmetic act and not for import of Drug Intermediates. "We have submitted an elaborate list highlighting the specific needs of exporters as well as importers of drugs", he explained. Jain hoped that the DCGI would consider Chemexcil plea with due urgency.