Import of drugs with residual shelf life: deadline extended till October 31, 2021: DCGI

Drugs are also losing their shelf life stuck at the ports due to shortage of manpower and the lockdown situation in parts of the country.

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DCGI CDSCO Regulator Drugs Controller General India
DCGI

Last Updated on January 4, 2024 by The Health Master

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has extended the deadline till October 31, 2021 for allowing import of drugs with residual shelf life less than 60 per cent.


To read or download the circular dated 13-04-2021, click here


This has been done because C-19 pandemic situation has led to disruption in freight movement causing delays in delivery of imported drugs.

Drugs are also losing their shelf life stuck at the ports due to shortage of manpower and the lockdown situation in parts of the country.

Medicine capsule
Picture: Unsplash

This is in continuation to the circulars issued on April 17, 2020, July 10, 2020 and December 18, 2020.


To read or download the circular dated 18-12-2020, click here

To read or download the circular dated 10-07-2020, click here


It had earlier extended the deadline till April 30, 2021 for allowing import of drugs with residual shelf life less than 60 per cent following representations from importers on delay in clearances at port offices in the wake of C-19 pandemic.

CDSCO had granted importers permission to import medicines having residual shelf life under 60 per cent on the condition that they give an undertaking that the drug would be consumed before the expiry date in the light of the pandemic situation.

As per Rule 31 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, no drug shall be imported unless it complies with the standard of strength, quality and purity, provided that the licensing authority shall not allow the import of a drug with a less than 60 per cent residual shelf life as on the date of import.

However, in exceptional cases, the licensing authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, allow the import of any drug with a lesser shelf life, but before its expiry.

The DCGI move came after industry associations made several representations that clearance of drug consignments at port offices has taken a hit due to C-19 outbreak.


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