Drug License for Medical Equipment in India

Drug License for Medical Equipment in India

When people talk about a “drug license” for medical equipment in India, they are usually confused, and honestly, it’s not their fault. The law itself uses overlapping language. Some medical equipment is regulated as a medical device. Some is treated as a drug. Some sits uncomfortably between both, depending on how it is used.

If you are planning to sell, import, store, or distribute medical equipment in India, you can’t rely on assumptions or old advice anymore. The rules have evolved, and in 2026, regulators expect you to know exactly where your product fits.

This article explains what a drug license means in the context of medical equipment, when you need one, and how the process actually works today.

Why medical equipment ever needed a “drug” license

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 is the basis for India's rules about healthcare products. Before the term "medical device" became popular this Act regulated many sterile instruments, diagnostic tools and hospital-use products as drugs

That foundation still exists.

Even though the Medical Devices Rules 2017 now provide a separate framework for many devices, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act remains the parent law. This is why the phrase “drug license” continues to appear when people talk about medical equipment approvals

You are not dealing with outdated law. You are dealing with layered law.

First step: understand how your equipment is classified

Before thinking about licenses, you must answer one question clearly.

Is your product regulated as:

• a medical device under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017
• a drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• or a device that still requires licensing through drug control authorities

The answer depends on the product’s intended use, risk profile, and whether it is notified under the medical device framework.

This classification determines everything that follows. Many compliance problems start right here.

Read More Medical Device Distributor License in India Registration Process

When a drug license is still required

You will need a drug license if the medical equipment you handle falls under the definition of a “drug” as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, or if state authorities require licensing for its sale and storage under drug control rules.

Common scenarios include:

• selling or stocking regulated medical equipment at wholesale level
• distributing hospital-use equipment classified under drug schedules
• handling products not fully transitioned into the Medical Devices Rules

In such cases, State Licensing Authorities issue drug licenses for sale, stock, and distribution.

Wholesale drug license and medical equipment

If you are distributing medical equipment treated as drugs, you generally need a wholesale drug license issued by the state drug control department.

This license allows you to:

• Store equipment
• Sell to hospitals or institutions
• Supply to retailers or healthcare providers

The authority looks at:

• Your premises
• Storage conditions
• Qualified technical personnel
• Record-keeping systems

This is not a paperwork-only approval. Inspections are common.

What about devices covered under Medical Devices Rules

If your equipment is notified as a medical device under the Medical Devices Rules 2017 then device-specific licenses apply instead of traditional drug licenses
Examples include:
registration certificates for distributors
import licenses issued by CDSCO
manufacturing licenses for Indian manufacturers

However, many state authorities still coordinate enforcement through drug control departments. This is why people often refer to everything as a “drug license” even when the legal form differs.

Importing medical equipment into India

If you are importing medical equipment, licensing is handled centrally by CDSCO, not the state.

For devices regulated under the Medical Devices Rules, you need an import license issued by the Central Licensing Authority. This approval is product-specific and manufacturing-site-specific.

If the equipment is treated as a drug, additional import permissions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act may apply.

Customs clearance alone is not enough. Regulatory approval must exist before import.

Documents authorities expect to see

Regardless of whether you apply for a drug license or a device-related license, regulators expect consistency.

Typical documents include:

• business registration proof
• premises documents
• storage layout details
• qualification proof of technical staff
• product details and intended use
• compliance declarations

Applications fail not because documents are missing, but because they don’t match each other.

Read More Veterinary Drug License Application Process in India 2026 (Most Updated Guidelines)

Inspections are part of the process 

Whether it is a drug license or a device-related approval, inspections remain central to enforcement.

Inspectors usually check:

• Storage hygiene
• Temperature control where required
• Traceability of stock
• Presence of qualified personnel

Approvals are not granted on intent. They are granted on readiness.

Validity and ongoing compliance

Most licenses do not require annual renewal anymore, but they do require: 

• Retention fees
• Updated records
• Continued compliance

Authorities can suspend or cancel licenses if conditions are violated. This is not rare.

Conclusion

In India the term “drug license” still matters for medical equipment but not in a one-size-fits-all way. Whether you need a wholesale drug license, an import license or a device-specific approval depends entirely on how your product is regulated under Indian law

If you want clarity before committing time and money and if you want approvals that stand up during inspection, Agile Regulatory can guide you through the process with precision.