India: Pharma Exports from Visakhapatnam Set to Become Hassle-Free

Export of drug and pharmaceuticals from Visakhapatnam sea port and airport is set to become smoother. To facilitate exports, a team of officials, including an assistant drug controller (ADC), drug inspector and an assistant drug inspector, has been appointed to function from this port city.

According to Mr. Uday Bhaskar, Director-General, Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), drug manufacturers and exporters were having difficulty till now in exporting by sea and air due to the non-availability of officials to complete the mandatory ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ process.

“Though Visakhapatnam air and sea ports have been notified as eligible for export/import of drugs and pharmaceuticals two years ago, ADC/drug inspectors were not appointed and exporters had to go to Hyderabad for completing all formalities,” Mr. Uday Bhaskar said.

Pharmexcil brought the issue to the notice of the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) which facilitated the appointment of the official team, he said. This will be an advantage for drug exports as Visakhapatnam has a pharma city with presence of many global players such as Eisai Pharma and Indian multinational drug-makers. There have been plans to set up a second pharma city near Nakkappli in Visakhapatnam district as well.

According to industry estimates, post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, north Andhra region in the State is poised to emerge as a major destination for pharma firms due to its strategic location besides airport, highway and sea connectivity. As Telangana has no sea port, few bulk drug manufacturers from Hyderabad, which is known as bulk drug capital of India, have also been exporting from Visakhapatnam.