Imported Medicines in Bangalore: Access to Therapies Approved Abroad

Bangalore and Karnataka: the numbers behind the need

Bengaluru is one of South India's major centres for cancer care, and patients from across Karnataka and neighbouring states come to the city for treatment. Official estimates for the state show how the need is growing:

Source: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 931, answered on 24 July 2026 (ICMR–NCRP estimates, all cancer sites, both sexes).

Reading the trend

Karnataka's estimated cancer cases rose by about 10.2% between 2021 and 2025. In 2025 that is roughly 266 new diagnoses a day, or about 6% of all estimated cases in India. Most patients are treated with medicines already sold in the country. For a smaller group, the most suitable option is a newer therapy that has been approved abroad but is not yet available here.

When might a patient need an imported medicine?

Named patient import is meant for situations where a prescribed medicine is not available through normal channels in India. Common examples include:

• A newer cancer therapy, such as an antibody-drug conjugate or a targeted tablet, that is approved by the US FDA or the European Medicines Agency but not yet launched in India
• An orphan drug for a rare disease that was never brought to the Indian market
• A medicine that has been discontinued in India but is still available in other countries
• A medicine facing a local shortage when treatment cannot wait

In each case, the decision starts with the treating doctor. The import itself takes place under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and the requirements of CDSCO, and the medicine is supplied only for the patient named on the prescription. Our guide to Indian import rules for patient-specific medicines covers the framework, and our Named Patient Program page explains how these programmes work.

Your options when a medicine is not sold in India

Import on a named patient basis

Once your doctor has prescribed a specific medicine, it can be sourced from a country where it is approved and imported in your name. This is the service we provide.

Ask about a manufacturer programme

For some medicines, the manufacturer runs an early access or compassionate use programme. These are decided entirely by the company, and they are available only for certain medicines and certain patients.

Check for a clinical trial

Some patients qualify for a newer treatment through a clinical trial at a participating hospital. Eligibility rules are strict, and trials running in India can be searched on the Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI).

Importing through us: what to expect in Bangalore

Why patients and doctors trust us

• More than 10 years of experience in named patient access
• Over 10,000 patients supported with life-saving therapies
• Access to 1.5 million+ product lines through a global pharmaceutical network
• An EU-GDP certified warehouse in Bulgaria for compliant storage
• A licensed wholesale distributor, sourcing only from manufacturers and duly authorised distributors, in line with CDSCO requirements and Good Distribution Practice

We work with patients, caregivers, treating doctors and hospitals. More about our standards is on our About Us page.

From prescription to delivery

1. Send your enquiry and prescription

Share the treating doctor's prescription with your enquiry. The more complete it is, the faster the review.

The prescription should show

• The doctor's name, contact details and registration number, on hospital or clinic letterhead
• The patient's name, date of birth and diagnosis
• The medicine, strength, dosage form, dose, treatment duration and quantity
• The date, the doctor's signature and a stamp or seal where applicable

Full details are in our prescription guidelines.

2. We review the documents

Our team checks the prescription and any supporting records, such as a diagnosis summary or treatment history. If something is missing, we tell you exactly what to send. Where a prescription needs clarification, we can contact the doctor's clinic directly.

3. You receive the price and timeline

You get the treatment details, the cost and the expected delivery date before anything is ordered. The cost depends mainly on the medicine and pack size, international shipping (including cold-chain transport where required) and applicable import duties and taxes.

4. Import and delivery

After you confirm, the medicine is sourced through authorised channels and imported for the named patient. Delivery to Bangalore usually takes 7 to 15 days, depending on documentation, customs clearance and logistics for that medicine.

Cold-chain delivery across Bengaluru

Bengaluru's weather is milder than much of India, but that does not change the rules for temperature-sensitive medicines. Injectable cancer medicines such as Trodelvy and Elahere must stay refrigerated at 2–8°C until they are used, including the final leg of delivery through city traffic.

We handle medicines across three temperature ranges: ambient (15–25°C), refrigerated (2–8°C) and frozen (-20°C). Shipments follow WHO GDP-aligned practices with 24/7 temperature monitoring, and the temperature record is reviewed after delivery. Read more on our temperature-controlled shipping page.

A quick checklist for delivery day

• Keep space ready in the refrigerator before the parcel arrives.
• Make sure someone is at the address to receive it.
• Store refrigerated medicines immediately and do not freeze them unless the label says so.
• If the package looks damaged, call us before using the medicine.

Learn more about the condition

The medicines listed below are used mainly in cancer care, along with a few for rare inflammatory conditions, growth disorders, transplant complications and serious infections. These guides explain some of the conditions in plain language:

• HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
• KRAS G12C mutation in lung cancer
• BRAF V600E colorectal cancer
• Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)

Before you begin

• We can supply a medicine only against a valid prescription from the treating doctor, in the quantity prescribed.
• Your doctor decides whether a medicine is right for you. We facilitate access; we do not give medical advice.
• If a medicine cannot be sourced, for example because the manufacturer has withdrawn it, we will tell you as early as possible.
• Imported medicines are for the named patient only and may not be shared or resold.