The Goan drug regulatory authority urged the ADC of the Navasheva port to stop accepting any consignments from the Goan manufacturers for export, import of pharma products to boost export and import activities from the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). Experts from the industry feel that it is high time for the Centre to introspect on why the exports are not picking up from MPT, inspite of being notified and have asked the CDSCO to intervene in this for ensure speedy action.

This demand comes in the wake of lukewarm response from the pharma companies in utilising the Mormugao Port for export and import activities, in spite of the huge monetary benefit they may get out of it. For doing business from the Navaseva port, the exporters have to spend nearly Rs.35000 per consignment, apart from that the waiting period is also long as they have wait to get suitable slot before hand. Interestingly, in spite of this hardships many exporters have been failing to use MPT citing reasons that there are no direct vessel facility from MPT which they fear may cause delay in their consignments

Salim Veljee, director, Goa, Foods and Drugs Control Administration pointed out that the main contention is that the exporters do not feel the need to use MPT because they have an option of Navasheva open to them. “What they are saying is that the lack of direct freight from the MPT is the main reason for their lack of interest. But why do they fail to understand that once the business starts to pick up, suitable provisions will be made to address the demand. Direct vessels do not go from MPT today is because there is not enough quantum of business to support that kind of services. Once the business starts coming in and when the quantum increases why will MPT not have direct vessels since it will be beneficial to all,” questioned Veljee.

Veljee who along with the former DCGI Dr Surinder Singh had played major role in the notifying MPT, stressed that the only way to improve the business from MPT is by forming the companies to do so. This will not only address the issue of under utilisation of MPT but will also address the congestion issue at Navasheva. He further expressed his opinion that the DCGI by requesting the ADC to take appropriate action can play a major role in sorting this issue more promptly which will be benefit the industry.

In 2011, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had approved Goa as a recognised port for import and export of drugs under Rule 43 A of the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Rules. This made Goa's Mormugao Port as one amongst the seven notified ports in the country apart from Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Cochin, Nhava Sheva and Kandla Ports for the pharma exports and imports.