Implementation time of track, trace system for drug formulation exports extended

The Commerce Ministry today extended the date for implementation of track and trace system for exports of drug formulations November 15 this year.

The decision is applicable for both non-SSI (small scale industry) and SSIs manufactured drugs.

"The date for implementation of track and trace system for exports of drug formulations with respect to maintaining the parent-child relationship in packaging levels and its uploading on central portal has been extended up to November 15 this year for non SSI manufactured drugs as well as SSI manufactured drugs," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a public notice.

Earlier also the dates have been extended from time to time.

The manufacturer or the exporter of drug formulations would have to print the barcode as per global standard at different packaging levels - primary, secondary and tertiary - to facilitate tracking and tracing of their products.

Barcode helps in tracking and tracing origin of drugs, which minimises the chances of genuine medicines being considered spurious, sub-standard or counterfeit.

In a separate notice, the DGFT said that the requirement of pre-inspection certificate is dispensed with for import of metallic waste and scrap from safe countries through six ports where portal monitors and container scanners are operational.

These would, however, be subject to radiation and explosive checks at these ports including JNPT, Kandla and Mumbai.

It has also stated that Krishnapatnam port is enlisted as a designated port fpr import of scrap.

With this, now there are a total of 15 ports authorised for import of scraps.