No need of NOC for pharma exports: Govt

The Dollar Business Bureau

In a bid to facilitate exports and make easier to do business, the Government on Wednesday eased the guidelines for drugs, medical devices and cosmetics exporters. Now the pharmaceutical companies will no longer have to get ‘no-objection’ certificate (NOC) from regulatory authority to export drugs and medical devices.

“The pharmaceutical exporters can continue exporting without having to obtain no-objection certificates (NOC) from the regulatory authorities,” said the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in a notice.

Earlier, this facility was only available for exports to Australia, US, Japan, Canada, and European Union. Now CDSCO has extended the rule for exports to all other countries.

“In partial modification of notice of even number dated December 11, 2015, removing the requirement of NOC for shipping bills from the port offices of CDSCO for the export consignments to USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and EU, it has been decided  that in addition to the above countries, the NOC for export consignments to any other countries shall not be insisted (upon), if such bills are filed by the manufacturer himself, having valid license under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and rules,” said the notice.

“This is being done to bring ease in the drug regulatory practices in India relating to export of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics. All the stakeholders are however required to comply with the regulatory requirements of the importing countries as per their specific needs,” it added.

Pharmaceutical exports from India were $16.8 billion in the fiscal of 2016-17 and are likely to grow by 30% to touch $20 billion by 2020, as per the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).