In yet another proactive measure to expedite the procedures for clearance of imported and exported pharma materials at different ports of the country, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr Surinder Singh has directed all the deputy drugs controllers heading their respective zones to visit the port offices at least twice in a month to monitor and review the activities and functioning of the port offices.

“All deputy drugs controllers of CDSCO heading their respective zones are hereby instructed to visit the port offices under their jurisdiction at least twice a month to monitor and review the activities and functioning of ports, so that imports and exports are cleared with due diligence in compliance to Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945 in an expeditious manner. They should also ensure  meeting with custom house agents and stakeholders, officials, importers, etc and address their grievances, if any,” the DCGI in his communique said.

Earlier this month, the DCGI office had issued guidelines for zonal, sub-zonal and port offices to make the activities of the subordinate offices working under DCGI uniform, transparent and also to be implemented in rational ways. These guidelines set out the nature of work that the zonal, sub-zonal and port offices of the CDSCO generally carry out and the guidelines about the policy that should be followed in disposing of the work and duties.

As the zonal/sub-zonal offices deal with various applications, the DCGI office in its guidelines had specified the targeted time lines and subsequent actions for disposal of the applications received in the office of zonal/sub-zonal offices.

The DCGI's directive in this regard comes in the backdrop that the issue of procedural delays at the port offices has been pending for some time and the exporters have been running from pillar to post to get the issue somehow resolved.

Earlier in May this year, the DCGI had instantly resolved the issue of procedural delays in giving certificates for clearance of goods from Mumbai port. At a meeting held in Mumbai on May 27 between the DCGI and a delegation of Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), the DCGI had spontaneously agreed to grant NOC to the aggrieved exporters  on the same day, provided all documents are submitted by the affected members to CDSCO Office at Mumbai. This immediate issuance of NOC was agreed as an urgent relief measure to mitigate the problems of exporters whose consignments were held up at Mumbai Port.