**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, to notify Navi Mumbai Airport as an official port for the import of drugs. Effective July 8, 2026, this move increases the total number of notified entry ports in India to 42 across road, rail, ship, and air. The initiative aims to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain, improve trade facilitation, and promote the Ease of Doing Business.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory Amendments**
* Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, has been amended to include Navi Mumbai Airport in the list of authorized airports for drug imports.
* The notification was issued following consultations with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
**Logistics and Infrastructure Expansion**
* The addition of Navi Mumbai Airport brings the total number of designated ports of entry for drugs in India to 42.
* This expansion is intended to facilitate the smoother movement of pharmaceutical consignments and strengthen national logistics infrastructure.
**Strategic Trade Objectives**
* The initiative provides importers with greater flexibility by adding a new alternative entry point for medicines.
* The government seeks to improve trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business while maintaining strict regulatory oversight of imported drugs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Importers**
**Impact**
Importers benefit from increased flexibility and a new logistical alternative for bringing pharmaceutical consignments into India through Maharashtra.
**Action Required**
Importers may update their supply chain routes and logistics planning to utilize Navi Mumbai Airport as a designated entry point for medicines.
**Ministry of Health and Family Welfare / Regulatory Authorities**
**Impact**
The government must extend its regulatory framework to include the new port to ensure effective oversight of imported drugs.
**Action Required**
Authorities must ensure that the necessary regulatory oversight and inspection mechanisms are active at Navi Mumbai Airport to monitor drug imports in compliance with the Drugs Rules, 1945.
Key Entities Referenced
Navi Mumbai Airport, Maharashtra: The newly designated port of entry authorized for the import of drugs to strengthen pharmaceutical logistics.
Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945: The specific regulatory provision amended to include Navi Mumbai Airport in the list of airports permitted for drug imports.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: The primary legislation under which the rules for drug imports are framed and amended.
Drugs Technical Advisory Board: The statutory body consulted by the government prior to notifying the amendment to the drug rules.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The central ministry responsible for regulating drug imports and overseeing the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government Notifies Navi Mumbai Airport as a
Port for Import of Drugs under the Drugs Rules,
1945
Amendment to Rule 43A to Facilitate Import of Drugs through
Navi Mumbai Airport
Total Number of Notified Ports of Entry for Import of Drugs
Reaches 42, Strengthening Pharmaceutical Logistics and
Trade Facilitation
प्रव तथ: 08 JUL 2026 10:43AM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening the pharmaceutical supply chain and facilitating ease of trade,
the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has enabled the import of drugs through the recently
inaugurated Navi Mumbai Airport in Maharashtra.
The amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945 now includes Navi Mumbai in the list of airports
through which drugs may be imported into the country. The notification has been issued after consultation
with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
(The Gazette Notification is available at: https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2026/274223.pdf)
With this amendment, Navi Mumbai Airport joins the list of designated airports permitted for the import
of drugs under the Drugs Rules, 1945. Total number of ports of entry(road/rail/ship/air) becomes 42 with
the latest addition. The amendment is expected to facilitate smoother movement of pharmaceutical
consignments, strengthen logistics infrastructure, and provide greater flexibility to importers by adding a
new alternative for import of medicines into India.
The initiative is in line with the Government's continued efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework,
improve trade facilitation, and promote Ease of Doing Business while ensuring effective regulatory
oversight of imported drugs.
****
SR
HFW/ Navi Mumbai Airport Notified as a Port for Import of Drugs under the Drugs Rules,
1945/08July2026/1
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