New Delhi: The Ministry of AYUSH has issued an advisory to clarify that No Objection Certificate (NOC) is not required for sending AYUSH medicines abroad for personal use when accompanied by a valid prescription. This clarification is intended to address procedural concerns regarding the international movement of medicines for individual patients.
The advisory on the Ministry’s official website is regarding dispatch of AYUSH medicines for personal use and clarification on NOC requirement in the cases covered by a valid prescription.
The development is relevant to patients who depend on Ayurveda and other AYUSH systems of medicine and need to procure prescribed medicines while travelling or living outside India.
Making AYUSH medicines prescribed easier to access
Patients who travel internationally or who live overseas may require continued access to medicines prescribed to them by their healthcare practitioners. Patients and families may feel uncertain about administrative requirements for sending medicines across borders.
The Ministry has clarified the requirement of NOC for sending AYUSH medicines abroad for personal use on the basis of a valid prescription. This could help in reducing uncertainty for Ayurveda patients regarding the documentation needed when arranging for international dispatch of prescribed medicines. It is also applicable to the patients using Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy medicines, subject to the ambit of the advisory and the applicable regulations.
Pertinence for Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine Users
Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine are used by patients in India and abroad.
The clarification provides additional guidance regarding the NOC requirement for personal use shipments with a valid prescription. It can be especially helpful for patients and carers hoping to navigate the administrative procedures involved in sending prescribed medicines abroad.”
Patients Should Review Destination-Country Regulations
The Ministry has explained the NOC requirement for the situations mentioned in its advisory, but patients should check the rules that will apply in the country where the medicines are being sent before making arrangements for a shipment. Patients and carers are advised to carry the valid prescription with them and to check the respective requirements with the customs or medicines regulatory authorities of the destination country and the shipping service provider.
Source: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India – **Official advisory:** [Ministry of AYUSH — Advisory on NOC for Export of AYUSH Medicines] (https://www.ayush.gov.in/assets/pdf/whatsnew/no_NOC_for_exporting_medicine.pdf)
