New Drug Export Policy Likely After Concerns On India-Made Drugs: Sources

So far, drug manufacturers used to directly export to foreign countries after obtaining export licences, without any quality check.

Following reports of substandard Indian drugs causing health concerns, and even deaths, in countries like the US, The Gambia, and Uzbekistan, the health ministry is seriously considering putting in place a new system for drug exports, top official sources said. Samples of all India-made drugs will be tested for quality before shipping out, they said.

The Union Health Ministry and the Department of Pharmaceuticals are deliberating this new policy, ministry sources said. Suggestions were sought from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) regarding this.

Medicines will be tested at the regional or central drug testing lab before sending them abroad.

So far, drug manufacturers used to directly export to foreign countries after obtaining export licences, without any quality check.