The Delhi High Court has taken action on a public interest litigation alleging the illegal export of life-saving anti-cancer drugs intended for domestic use in India. Concerns have been raised regarding loopholes in the verification system that allow certain exporters to obtain drugs labeled “for sale in India only” and ship them abroad illegally. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia has issued notice to various regulatory authorities, including the Union government and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), among others.
The petition highlights serious irregularities related to the unlawful diversion and export of pharmaceutical drugs meant exclusively for domestic use in India. It points out that certain entities exploit gaps in the regulatory framework by mixing restricted drugs with permissible export consignments to evade scrutiny. The plea emphasizes that high-value drugs, designated for domestic consumption and imported under strict regulatory conditions, are being diverted from the authorized supply chain to be routed into export channels.
Referring to an Office Memorandum from the CDSCO, the petition mentions instances of merchant exporters shipping products marked “for sale in India only” and calls for an end to such practices. Despite detailed representations submitted to the authorities, no comprehensive investigation has been initiated to determine the scale and mechanism of the alleged illegal diversion. The petitioners advocate for a thorough probe and the strengthening of regulatory mechanisms to prevent further illegal exports, citing serious implications for public health and drug availability.
