The Central Government has officially amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, allowing Navi Mumbai Airport to be used as an authorized entry point for the import of drugs into India. The amendment has been notified through the Drugs (Ninth Amendment) Rules, 2026, which came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.
The amendment revises Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945 by adding Navi Mumbai to the list of airports through which drugs may be imported. Previously, the rule referred only to Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram in this specific provision. The notification follows the draft amendment issued in January 2026, for which no objections or suggestions were received during the public consultation period.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the inclusion of Navi Mumbai Airport is expected to improve pharmaceutical logistics by providing an additional gateway for imported medicines. The move is intended to facilitate smoother movement of pharmaceutical consignments, enhance supply chain efficiency, and provide greater flexibility to importers while maintaining regulatory oversight under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
With the latest amendment, the total number of notified ports of entry, covering air, sea, road, and rail, for the import of drugs into India has increased to 42. The government stated that the decision aligns with its ongoing efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical regulatory framework, improve ease of doing business, and support the growing healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
