Question

Which of the following drugs can be imported without a license?

• A. Drugs specified in schedule H
• B. Drugs specified in schedule X
• C. Drugs in schedule-C1 required for manufacturing and not for medicinal us
• D. Drugs in schedule-C required for manufacturing and for medicinal use

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine which drugs can be imported without a license, we must refer to the relevant Indian regulations concerning pharmaceutical imports. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its associated rules provide detailed guidelines about the import of drugs and the requirements for licenses.

1. The options provided refer to different schedules as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act:
   • Schedule H: It includes prescription drugs which cannot be sold without a prescription. Importing these without a license is not permitted.
   • Schedule X: These are stringent drugs regulated more strictly due to their potential for abuse. Like Schedule H drugs, these also require licenses for import.
   • Schedule-C1: This refers to biological products like vaccines and toxins, used for manufacturing but not for direct therapeutic use.
   • Schedule-C: Includes biological and special products that are used for medicinal purposes. Importing them generally requires a license.
2. The correct answer is Drugs in schedule-C1 required for manufacturing and not for medicinal use. This is because these drugs are used as raw materials in the manufacturing process rather than for direct therapeutic applications. They are allowed to be imported without a license under certain regulations to facilitate the manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical industry.
3. Thus, at a policy level, the import of such drugs without a license is aimed to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing supply chains, especially for industries producing essential medicines.
4. Other options (Schedules H and X) require special attention due to their usage restrictions, while Schedule C drugs are typically used directly for medicinal purposes and thus require more stringent controls for import.

In conclusion, the correct answer is the one that accurately reflects the legislative exceptions allowing for the efficient functioning of pharmaceutical manufacturing: Drugs in schedule-C1 required for manufacturing and not for medicinal use.