Centre Proposes Simpler Drug Import Rules For Small-Quantity Testing, Research And Analysis

New Delhi, June 26: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday said it has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to simplify the procedure for obtaining permission for the import of drugs for examination, test or analysis, commonly known as through Form 11.

The amendment introduces an acknowledgement-based system for the import of all drugs in small quantities for analytical and non-clinical testing purposes.

The amendment is expected to significantly reduce the compliance burden on applicants by eliminating licensing requirements for importing small quantities of drugs for testing or R&D purposes.

Simplified Import Process Proposed

The move will promote research and innovation, along with enhancing ease of doing business in the pharmaceutical sector, enabling start-ups and industries to quickly initiate testing or analysis, an official statement said.

Under the revised provisions, applicants seeking to import such drugs must submit a prior intimation form and may import the drug based on the acknowledgement generated upon submission of such intimation.

“The simplified procedure shall be applicable for the import of drugs for analytical and non-clinical testing, except for certain drugs belonging to the categories of sex hormones, cytotoxic drugs, beta lactam drugs, biologics containing live microorganisms, and narcotic and psychotropic substances, which shall continue to require prior licensing,” the ministry said.

Move Aims To Boost Innovation

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had already carried out amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, in January 2026, introducing a similar notification system for domestic test licences. The present proposed amendment expands it to imports as well.

The online intimation system will offer a seamless and instant gateway for stakeholders.

Also Watch:

The amendment also aligns with the government's continued efforts to improve the regulatory ecosystem, promote ease of doing business and foster innovation in the pharmaceutical sector, the statement said.

Stakeholders can submit objections and suggestions on the draft legislation to the Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the statement noted.

(Disclaimer: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)