Govt. of India facilitating the export and import of drugs through Airports

As part of the efforts to improve the situation in the airports to better handle the exports and imports of drugs, the facilities at some leading airports are being augmented, though the original plan to create special pharma zones is yet to be implemented formally.

The government is taking steps following the complaints from the industry that the quality of medicines transported through air routes is getting affected due to lack of proper storage system at airports. Efforts are on by some of the agencies running the airports to augment their facilities as the storage facilities are either maintained by the airport authorities or the airlines.

Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) has already created four new cold rooms for pharma products. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has also planned to create 3700 square meters of additional cold room facilities for pharma products when the new cargo terminal becomes operational, sources said.

Drugs when not stored at recommended temperature whether transported through air route or any other mode of transport can deteriorate due to extreme temperatures, both high and low. Facilities for storage of drugs, including drugs requiring special storage conditions, are available at some of the airports. Where such facilities are not available because of space constraints or other reasons the consignments requiring special storage conditions are released on priority basis to avoid any deterioration in the quality, sources said.

The CDSCO had suggested creation of dedicated pharma zones at the airports and seaports in line with good manufacturing practices and good distribution practices to assure quality, safety and efficacy of drugs meant for export and import. However, it is yet to be officially launched.

As per the plan, pharma zones are to come up at the airports of Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Besides, another cargo zone will come up at Nhava Sheva port at Navi Mumbai. The DCGI office also had already initiated consultations with the airport developers and the civil aviation ministry in this regard.