A medicine imported into India may travel hundreds of kilometres inland after arriving at a port or airport before reaching a warehouse or distribution centre. The Union Health Ministry wants to make that journey more efficient by widening the list of places where healthcare products can enter the country. On November 3, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed an amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945. The draft seeks to add 10 locations to the authorised import network for drugs, medical devices and cosmetics. These comprise 8 Inland Container Depots (ICDs), 1 Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Noida International Airport. The proposed locations are ICD Sonipat, Piyala and Harsaru in Haryana; ICD Dadri in Uttar Pradesh; ICD Gandhidham/Mundra in Gujarat; ICD Sanath Nagar and Thimmapur in Hyderabad, Telangana; and ICD Whitefield in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The list also includes Bommasandra SEZ in Karnataka and Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, specifically for importing drugs by air. Read More: Energy Drinks Linked To 11x Higher Cardiac Arrests, Study Finds Rule 43A specifies the ports, airports, railway stations, road crossings and other designated entry points through which drugs may be imported into India. A shipment cannot be cleared at any location of an importer's choosing. It must enter through an authorised point and meet regulatory and customs requirements. These designated gateways also help authorities monitor imported products, verify documentation and ensure that consignments comply with India's drug import regulations. Having more authorised entry points can give importers greater flexibility in choosing routes, potentially reducing the distance goods need to travel before reaching their intended destinations. The Ministry says the expanded network could allow importers to clear consignments closer to manufacturing facilities, warehouses and distribution centres. This may shorten inland transport routes, optimise logistics costs and reduce delays. It could also make operations more convenient for businesses handling medicines, medical devices and cosmetics, while supporting the movement of healthcare products across regions. For patients, the potential benefit is indirect but important: a more efficient supply chain can support timely availability of healthcare products. However, the proposal does not guarantee lower medicine prices or mean products will become cheaper or more widely available. Those outcomes depend on several factors, including sourcing, regulation, distribution and pricing. Through this proposed amendment, the Ministry seeks to strengthen the supporting infrastructure for the import of healthcare products, promote ease of doing business and contribute towards a more efficient and responsive supply chain, thereby facilitating timely availability of essential healthcare products. The change is not in force yet. The Ministry has invited objections and suggestions on the draft amendment. Stakeholders can send submissions to the Under Secretary (Drugs Regulation), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi, or email drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in. The proposal must proceed through the rule-making process before the additional locations become authorised gateways. Read More: Can Repeatedly Reheated Food Trigger Foodborne Infections? Simran covers books that start conversations, beauty insights, fashion moods, and stories that make people feel something. Off duty? You’ll find her c... View More