New Delhi: Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr S Eswara Reddy has done away with a constraint that wasted domestic medical device exporters’ precious time. The regulator has won profuse praise, thanks to this much needed step of removing a barrier.
Modifying a notice of 2015 by an office order issued on March 21, he has removed the requirement of No Objection Certificate (NOC) with respect to shipping bills from the port offices of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for the export consignment to USA, Canada, Japan Australia and European Union.
It has also been decided that in addition to the above countries, the NOC for export consignments to any other countries shall not be insisted too, if such shipping bills are filed by the manufacturer himself, having valid license under Drugs and Cosmetic Act and Rules.
The order says this has been 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 the specific needs.
Domestic manufacturers and exporters of medical devices, drugs and cosmetics have called it an excellent step in ensuring Ease of Doing Business. According to them, such measures will help instil confidence in manufacturers of the Regulatory Framework and the implementation agency CDSCO as being responsive to genuine needs of licensed manufacturers and exporters.
Rajiv Nath , Forum Coordinator, AiMeD (Association of Indian Medical Device) industry has all words of praise for new incumbent Dr Eswara Reddy. Mr Nath said, ‘ The needless 2-3 day delay of export shipments acting as a non tariff barrier and a competitive disadvantage of Indian Medical Devices exporters has been done away with. We had to listen to complaints from our buyers of shipment delays and lengthier delivery period for emergency supplies by expensive airfreight compared to competing suppliers in China and Taiwan etc.’
