IGST classification of APIs as drugs supports the specific concessional rate despite import for testing or clinical studies.

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....Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and bulk drugs qualify as "All Drugs and medicines" under the specific IGST rate entry where they retain their statutory identity as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Their import for formulation manufacture, testing, analysis, clinical research, clinical trials, bioavailability studies or bioequivalence studies does not alter that character. The description-based entry extends to goods under Chapter 30 or any other chapter, including APIs tariff-classifiable under Chapters 28 or 29. As the specific drugs entry prevails over general chemical entries, eligible APIs attract IGST at 5%, subject to exclusion where covered by the specified nil-rated entry.....