Govt allows pharma formulations exports under export-linked scheme

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday allowed the exports of 13 formulations including those made of Vitamin B6, B12 and B1 under advance licenses issued on or before March 3. It also permitted exports of the restricted 13 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and 13 formulations is allowed from units in special economic zones (SEZ).

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) had restricted the exports of 26 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations on March 3 to ensure there is no shortage of drugs in India due to the lockdown in China’s Hubei’s province, a major source for these raw materials that has also been the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.

“DGFT has revived various representations from exporters highlighting the issues faced by them in

fulfilling their export obligations under Advance Authorisation scheme,” the directorate said in one circular.

Under an advance license, duty-free imports are bound to certain export obligations. The Department of Pharmaceuticals had written to the DGFT to allow exports from APIs imported under an advance licence.

“Also, no enhancement of quantity shall be permitted for import and export items in these advance licenses,” DGFT said. However, paracetamol, Vitamin B6, B12 and B1 continue to remain restricted.

In another circular on exports from SEZs, it said the earlier restriction was applicable only to those item descriptions specified and not products that may fall under the same tariff code but have different description.

The government had restricted the exports of paracetamol and vitamins B1, B6 and B12, tinidazole, metronidazole, acyclovir, progesterone, chloramphenicol, erythromycin salts, neomycin, clindamycin salts and ornidazole amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.