IGI to get pharma zone by June

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi will soon have a dedicated zone for storing drugs meant for exports and imports in controlled temperature. The first of the five proposed pharma zones will be operational at the airport by June.

“This is the first time in the world that such pharma zones are being set up,” Drugs Controller General of India Surinder Singh said on the sidelines of a conference on clinical trials. At present, drug export and import consignments are stored along with other items, and at temperatures which are not controlled. This could compromise their quality. “In the current situation, drugs could be lying next to oil,” he said. The dedicated zone, which will also house officials from the drug controller’s office, is being built by Delhi International Airport Ltd.