Insulin in India: Import Rules, Brands and Cold-Chain Plan

Quick reference

• Drug class: Basal, bolus, mixed, ultra-rapid, and ultra-long-acting insulin formulations
• Controlled substance: No insulin formulation is listed as a controlled substance under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 or the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. All are prescription-only medicines under Schedule H.
• Prescription required: Yes. All insulin formulations are Schedule H prescription-only medicines in India. A valid prescription or doctor's letter is required for purchase at any pharmacy.
• Available locally: Insulin glargine: yes (Lantus, Basaglar, Glaritus, Basalog). Insulin detemir: yes (Levemir). Insulin degludec: yes (Tresiba). Insulin isophane (NPH): yes (Huminsulin N, Insulatard). Insulin regular: yes (Huminsulin R, Actrapid). Insulin aspart: yes (NovoRapid, Trurapi). Insulin lispro: yes (Humalog, Lupifan). Insulin glulisine: limited (Apidra. Check availability with major chains before relying on it).
• Storage: Unopened vials and pens: 2–8°C refrigerated. In-use vials/pens: up to 25–30°C for 28–30 days depending on formulation. India's heat requires active cooling measures; temperatures regularly exceed 35°C.
• Max supply to carry: India has no codified personal import quantity limit for insulin, but Customs Circular No. 22/2015 allows personal-use quantities of medicines. Bring enough for your trip plus a 10-day buffer. Carry a doctor's letter for any quantity that might appear commercial.
• Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead listing each insulin by INN and brand, dose, frequency, quantity carried, and the prescriber's registration number.
• Emergency alternative: If your specific formulation is unavailable, consult a local endocrinologist before switching. Do not self-substitute between insulin classes, as basal, rapid-acting, and mixed formulations are not interchangeable without medical guidance.

Insulin in India: what changes when you travel

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) classifies all insulin formulations, including glargine (Lantus, Basaglar, Glaritus), detemir (Levemir), degludec (Tresiba), isophane, regular, aspart (NovoRapid), lispro (Humalog), and glulisine (Apidra), as Schedule H prescription-only medicines under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940^[1].

Most brands in the class are available across major Indian cities, with strong coverage from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly products at MedPlus, Apollo Pharmacy, and Netmeds. Insulin glulisine (Apidra) has limited retail penetration, so travellers relying on that formulation should bring a full supply rather than plan on local resupply.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to India with insulin

India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs permits personal-use quantities of medicines under Customs Circular No. 22/2015, which covers bona fide personal medication^[2]. No advance import permit is required for any insulin formulation. A doctor's letter on clinic letterhead is nonetheless strongly recommended, particularly for larger quantities or pen devices, to avoid delays at customs.

No translation or notarisation is required by Indian customs for a doctor's letter in English. If your letter is in another language, attach an English translation. Insulin is not a controlled substance in India, so the documentation requirements are lighter than in countries where NDPS permits are mandatory.

How much insulin to bring

India has no codified maximum quantity for personal-use insulin imports. Bring your full trip supply plus a 10-day buffer to account for delays, breakage, or temperature excursions that render a vial unusable. Factor in extra needles and any blood glucose testing supplies, as specific pen needle brands may differ locally.

If you take insulin glulisine (Apidra), bring your entire trip requirement plus the buffer. Availability at Indian retail pharmacies is inconsistent, and hospital procurement channels differ from retail. Other formulations in the class have wider availability.

Packing and storing insulin for travel

Unopened insulin vials and pens must be kept at 2–8°C until first use, as specified in product labelling^[3]. Once opened, most formulations tolerate up to 25–30°C for 28 days, but this tolerance is tested under controlled conditions, not India's 40°C+ summers. Use an insulated insulin travel case with a reusable gel pack for transit; replace the gel pack at your destination hotel each day.

Never place insulin directly against a freezer ice block. Freezing destroys the protein structure and renders the insulin ineffective. Discard any vial that has been frozen, exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, or has developed cloudiness or particles in a formulation that should be clear.

At the airport and border

Airport security with insulin

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Central Industrial Security Force screen passengers at Indian airports. Insulin and associated supplies are exempt from the standard 100 ml liquid rule^[4] when carried for documented medical need. Keep your insulin in its original packaging, separate from other liquids in your bag, and have your doctor's letter accessible during screening.

Sharps, pen needles and lancets, should be carried in a sharps container or the original blister pack. Declare these at the security lane; screeners in India are generally accustomed to insulin kits, but presenting the doctor's letter at the checkpoint avoids unnecessary delay. X-ray machines at airport security do not damage insulin.

Customs and import rules for insulin in India

Under India's Customs Circular No. 22/2015 on personal medication imports^[2], travellers may bring a reasonable personal-use quantity of prescription medicine without an advance import permit. Insulin is not subject to NDPS controls, so no narcotics declaration form is required. Carry your doctor's letter and keep insulin in original manufacturer packaging with pharmacy labels. This is what customs officers will check if your bag is flagged.

There is no published maximum unit quantity for personal insulin imports. If you are carrying more than a 3-month supply, attach a brief explanatory note to your doctor's letter stating the trip duration and that the quantity is for personal use. Quantities that appear commercial could prompt closer inspection.

While in country

Insulin availability in India

India has a large generic insulin manufacturing sector alongside branded originator products. Insulin glargine is sold as Lantus and Basaglar (Eli Lilly/Boehringer Ingelheim) and as domestic biosimilars Glaritus (Wockhardt) and Basalog (Biocon). Insulin detemir is available as Levemir (Novo Nordisk). Insulin degludec is available as Tresiba (Novo Nordisk). Biocon's biosimilar insulin portfolio is widely distributed through Indian pharmacy chains^[5].

Insulin isophane (NPH) is available as Huminsulin N (Eli Lilly) and Insulatard (Novo Nordisk). Insulin regular is available as Huminsulin R (Eli Lilly) and Actrapid (Novo Nordisk). Insulin aspart is available as NovoRapid (Novo Nordisk) and as the biosimilar Trurapi (Biocon). Insulin lispro is available as Humalog (Eli Lilly) and the biosimilar Lupifan (Lupin). Insulin glulisine (Apidra, Sanofi) has limited retail penetration in India. Confirm availability at your destination's major pharmacy chains before departure and bring your full supply.

A vial of insulin glargine biosimilar (e.g. Glaritus, 10 ml) costs approximately ₹500–₹700 (~$6–$8.50 / ~€5.50–€8). Branded originator products cost more: a Lantus SoloStar pen typically retails at ₹900–₹1,200 (~$11–$14.50 / ~€10–€13.50). All require a prescription from a registered medical practitioner to purchase. Major pharmacy chains Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus, Wellness Forever, and Netmeds (online with doorstep delivery in larger cities) stock the major formulations.

Pharmacy phrases in Hindi

Use these phrases at the pharmacy counter when asking about insulin options. In major cities, pharmacy staff at chains such as Apollo and MedPlus typically speak English, but these are useful in smaller towns.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe insulin in India

Endocrinologists in India practice at both private hospitals and government teaching hospitals. In cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, private hospitals including Apollo, Fortis, and Max Healthcare employ English-speaking endocrinologists^[6].

A private outpatient consultation costs approximately ₹800–₹2,000 (~$9.50–$24 / ~€8.75–€22). Telemedicine platforms such as Practo and Apollo 24/7 offer remote consultations with registered Indian doctors who can issue a local prescription for pharmacy purchase. See healthcare guide for India for more information on provider options.

Storing insulin while in India

Store your unused insulin in the hotel room mini-fridge or ask front desk staff to store it in the hotel refrigerator. Set the fridge to 4–6°C and keep insulin away from the freezer compartment. If you are staying in a guesthouse or homestay without reliable refrigeration, use a Frio insulin cooling wallet, which uses water-activated crystals to maintain temperatures below 26°C for up to 45 hours without electricity.

Power outages (load shedding) occur in some Indian cities and rural areas. If the power goes out and your insulin has been above 25°C for more than 4 hours, check the vial for cloudiness or particles before use. A vial that has warmed to room temperature for less than a day is generally still usable for most formulations, but check your specific product information for the exact tolerance.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your insulin in India

If your insulin is lost or damaged, go to the nearest Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus, or hospital pharmacy with your doctor's letter. Most major-brand formulations can be dispensed on the strength of a foreign prescription plus a doctor's letter, at the pharmacist's discretion. If your supply is stolen, file a First Information Report (FIR) at the local police station first. Your travel insurer will require it, and some Indian pharmacy managers require it before dispensing a replacement for a controlled or high-value medication.

If your specific insulin formulation is unavailable at local pharmacies, do not self-substitute between insulin classes. A local endocrinologist must make that decision based on your full clinical picture. Present your doctor's letter and ask the hospital's diabetes team to identify the closest available equivalent. For a broader overview of managing diabetes in India, see the India diabetes travel guide.

India's national emergency number is 112, which connects to police, ambulance, and fire services. For a medical emergency, you can also call 108 (ambulance service in most states). Private hospital emergency departments in major cities provide faster access to an endocrinologist than public hospitals for travellers without a state health entitlement.

Frequently asked questions

Related practical guide

Sources

1. [1] Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 — CDSCO, Government of India
2. [2] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs — Circular No. 22/2015: Clarification regarding carrying medicines for personal use
3. [3] Novo Nordisk Medical — insulin storage and stability guidance
4. [4] Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India — Passenger carry-on guidelines
5. [5] Biocon — Biosimilar insulin portfolio, India
6. [6] Apollo Hospitals — Endocrinology department

More guides in India

• ConditionADHD in India: Methylphenidate Rules, Schedule X and Psychiatrist Access
• ConditionDiabetes in India: Insulin Import Rules, Heat and Pharmacy Access
• ConditionTravelling to India with IBD: Medications, Healthcare and Emergency Protocols
• MedicationAdderall (Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine) in India: NDPS Rules and Import Permit
• MedicationAdderall XR in India: NDPS Rules, Supply and Prescribing
• MedicationAtomoxetine in India: Schedule H, Strattera and Pharmacy Access
• MedicationConcerta in India: Schedule, Supply and Prescribers
• MedicationMetformin in India: Glycomet, Import Rules and Pharmacy Access
• MedicationMethylphenidate in India: Schedule X, Import Rules and Brands
• MedicationMethylphenidate in India: Schedule X, Import Rules and Brands
• MedicationVyvanse in India: Not Approved, Import Ban and Alternatives

Insulin in other countries

• Medication🇪🇸 Spain
• Medication🇯🇵 Japan
• Medication🇮🇩 Indonesia
• Medication🇲🇽 Mexico
• Medication🇹🇭 Thailand

Country guide

• CountryHealthcare in India