In a recent notice, DCGI has asked all importers to submit an undertaking on product quality to make sure the products are cleared fast from the port offices. To clear the import consignments at the port faster, the DCGI has taken this step recently. Along with that, an importer needs to submit a bill of entering, which conveys that the consignment packing is not destroyed, and all the contents of the concerned drug are not destroyed or damaged.
This initiative by DCGI is an effort to ease the business. It aims to make sure that all importers are strictly in compliance with all of the conditions of the import license and regulated drug integrity. Hence following all the norms of the import of drugs in India.
According to the notice given by DCGI, making business reliable and using a fast track system of the risk management system, along with incorporation with ICEGATE that makes online clearance of all drugs and cosmetics that are imported, has declared a proposal.
As per the proposal, by planning some methods, the human interface should be decreased while ensuring the reliability of drugs/cosmetics. All packages with seals remain intact before they are released and are out of charge. Thus, it is the sole duty of the importer to make sure all these things are carried out and provide an undertaking with every unified declaration or the bill of entry that the drug packaging is not damaged/destroyed/broken and all contents of the drug are not damaged in a prescribed format.
Besides submitting the undertaking discussed above during import, every importer needs to furnish a label of particular consignment, import license/permission, bill of entry, and a certificate of analysis of the release of batch and other such documents. Every importer should comply with all import license conditions, or the no-objection certificate is issued as per D&C act.
Sahil Munjal, who is the vice chairman of Pharmexil, said that It is one of the government's best steps with a declaration by the importer that the seal of every package is intact and the package is not at all damaged or broken. This helps import consignments being released from either ports or airports without making any delay. It is one of the best welcoming steps to ensure that importers comply with all provisions of the D&C act.
But an insider from the industry has stated that some corrupt importers are still managing to import and facilitate the selling of some of the unregistered or the prohibited pharma products in the country through mislabeling and misfiling an entry with the customs. Through strong support from the customs officials, they get their imported consignments easily released from the ports and airports without obtaining NOC from a drug controller. This indeed is a risk to our public health.
DCGI should look into this issue and integrate with the customs authority to check the unfil of any unregistered drugs in the country.
