New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- India's top drug regulator is preparing to link its designated import ports with the country's digital customs gateway to strengthen oversight, and ensure that only safe medicines, devices, and cosmetics enter the domestic market, according to an official aware of the matter and documents reviewed by Mint.

The government has notified around 34 ports (sea, air, rail, road) for entry of medical products, and has launched the initiative to link these with the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE) to ensure that drugs and devices don't enter through unapproved routes.

This plan is based on Rule 43-A of the Drugs Rules, 1945 that mandates that no drug can be imported into India except through designated points of e...