India, Jan. 29 -- Pharma companies will no longer be required to seek a test licence and may proceed with pharmaceutical development upon submitting an online intimation to CDSCO, except in certain cases, as part of the broad simplification notified by the Union Health Ministry. Union Health Ministry has notified key amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019, aimed at simplifying regulatory processes, reducing approval timelines, and enabling faster conduct of clinical research and pharmaceutical development in the country.

The amendment is in line with the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce regulatory burden and promote Ease of Doing Business, the ministry said.

Under the existing regulatory f...