How to verify an Indian pharmaceutical supplier
Towada Products · New Delhi, India · Updated October 2026
To verify an Indian pharmaceutical supplier, check that the company holds an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), a GST registration and a valid drug licence, confirm its registered address, ask for the manufacturing licence and GMP certificate of the manufacturer of each product, and request batch documents such as a Certificate of Analysis. IEC and GST details can be checked online on Indian government websites.
Which registrations should an Indian pharmaceutical exporter hold?
- Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and required for commercial exports from India.
- GST registration: a 15-character GST Identification Number (GSTIN).
- Drug licence: issued by the State drug licensing authority under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. A trading company holds a wholesale licence and a manufacturer holds a manufacturing licence.
How can I check these registrations myself?
Ask the supplier for its IEC number and GSTIN. The status of an IEC can be checked on the DGFT website, and a GSTIN can be searched on the Indian GST portal to confirm the legal name, address and registration status. Ask for a copy of the drug licence and check that the company name and address on it match the invoice and the bank account you are asked to pay.
What is the difference between a manufacturer and a trading exporter?
Many Indian pharmaceutical exporters are trading companies that source finished products from licensed manufacturers. This is a normal arrangement. When you buy from a trading exporter, verify two things: the exporter's own registrations, and the manufacturer named on the pack of each product, including its manufacturing licence and GMP certificate.
Which product documents should I ask for?
Ask for a Certificate of Analysis for the batch being supplied, and check that the batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date match the packs. Check that the manufacturer's name and licence number are printed on the label. If you are registering the product in your country, ask whether a Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) is available for it.
What are the warning signs of an unreliable supplier?
- The supplier will not share its licence or registration numbers.
- The address cannot be confirmed, or it differs between documents.
- Payment is requested to an account in a different name from the company.
- The supplier refuses to provide batch documents.
- The price is far below other quotations for the same product.
Should I place a small first order?
Many importers start with a smaller first order so they can check the goods, the documents and the delivery time before committing to larger volumes. Whether samples can be supplied depends on the product and on the destination country's import regulations.
How can I verify Towada Products?
Towada Products is a family partnership established in 2015. Its office is at B-256, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase 1, New Delhi, Delhi 110028, India. The registrations listed on our website include an IEC, GST registration and a drug licence. You can ask for registration details and for the documents of a specific product through the enquiry form, by email at H.S.Gandhi@towadaproducts.in or on WhatsApp at +91 99995 62955.
This page is general information for trade buyers such as importers, distributors, hospitals and institutions. Import rules differ by country and change over time. Confirm the current requirements with your national medicines regulator and customs authority before ordering.