The Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has been notified for import of drugs by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
A notification published in the Gazette of India via No. 366 stated that under the rule 43 –A, BIAL has been included along with the airports of Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad and Panaji (Goa) which are now cleared for drug imports.
The notification further states that the cities of Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Cochin, Nhava Sheva, Kandla and Inland Container Depots at Thuglakabad and Patparganj, Delhi, and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu are cleared for drugs imports coming in by sea into India.
“This is a significant decision and will have a positive impact for the pharma industry in the country. As far as Karnataka is concerned, we have been recommending the same for some time and now the notification of the BIAL for drug imports into the country will speed up receivables of imported lab chemicals and pharmaceuticals like active ingredients and excipients”, Dr. BR Jagashetty, drugs controller, government of Karnataka, told Pharmabiz.
According SG Biligiri, president, Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KDPMA), the need for clearance of imports from Bengaluru has been a long pending issue and the import clearance for BIAL will now see the state’s pharma industry maximize the facility.
Currently, Karnataka has 251 pharma companies with a total turnover of the sector is Rs.6,500 crore of which exports accounts for Rs.2,000 crore. A large number of companies are importing active pharmaceutical ingredients and machineries to support the production of formulations and bulk drugs.
Pharmabiz has already reported that the KDPMA had represented in government committees including in the Regional Advisory Committee of Central Excise, Export Facilitation Committee of Karnataka government, Federation of Indian Export Organization and India Trade Promotion Organization for the need for an import clearance from the state’s capital Bengaluru.
In October 2009, an Office of the Assistant Drugs Controller (India) CDSCO, Bengaluru, sub zone, was established at the BIAL and began functioning from October 21, 2009 when S. Manivannan, drugs inspector, was the official in charge to oversee the operations.
“The need for an airport which is advanced and certified to clear pharmaceutical imports brings a big relief for pharma manufacturers. It will provide the convenience leading to economies-of-scale in terms of speed and cost of commuting to Chennai which is our nearest international airport. Now it will shorten the duration of imports and clearance of consignments, said Anjan K Roy, managing director, RL Fine Chem and member, KDPMA.
The recognition by the Union government of BIAL for imports will now bring in a sea change to the way we would carry out international trade. We could also expect substantial investments from global pharma companies as import clearances at a city airport is a win-win situation, stated industry officials from Micro Labs, Biocon, Hikal, Resonance, Shilpa Medicare, Bal Pharma among others.