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TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

1. The Department of Consumer Affairs has clarified that customary units such as inches, feet, yards and square feet may be used only as supplementary declarations alongside standard SI units under the Legal Metrology framework. The clarification aims to ensure uniformity in trade practices while preventing misleading or ambiguous quantity declarations for consumers.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vwL3

2. FSSAI plans to centralize food surveillance by separating sampling from enforcement, reducing state officers’ discretionary powers. Neutral agencies will collect samples, with results uploaded to a national database for quick alerts. This aims to enhance transparency, consistency, and consumer safety while ensuring enforcement remains with state authorities.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vwJ8

3. The Supreme Court has directed Delhi authorities to urgently frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ensuring private hospitals built on concessional government land provide free treatment to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) patients, addressing widespread non-compliance with the mandate of reserving 10% inpatient beds and 25% outpatient services.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q97l

4. The CDSCO has directed state and Union Territory drug regulators to closely monitor surrogate advertising and promotional activities related to prescription GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity and metabolic disorders. The regulator has cautioned against indirect promotional practices, including disease-awareness campaigns and digital outreach, that could influence public demand for prescription-only medicines. The move signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of marketing, distribution, and promotion, and may also lead to stricter compliance expectations for pharmaceutical companies, digital platforms, wellness clinics, and marketers involved.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q96J

5. The Indian Council of Medical Research (“ICMR”) has introduced a single-window approval mechanism for medical research studies, replacing the earlier fragmented process requiring approvals from multiple ethics committees and institutions. The framework is intended to streamline ethics clearances, reduce procedural delays, and accelerate approvals for multicentric and collaborative research projects.
The development is significant for India’s clinical research ecosystem as it is expected to improve regulatory efficiency, transparency, and coordination in study approvals.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q96K

Posted on

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

1. India’s central government has warned pharmacies, clinics, and online platforms of licence cancellation, fines, and legal action for unauthorised sale of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Regulators flagged misuse amid rising availability of generic semaglutide, reiterating that prescriptions are restricted to endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists, and cardiologists only, with nationwide inspections already underway.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYE-

2. The Delhi High Court granted a 30 day stock clearance window to the pharmaceutical manufacturer for its diabetes drug under the existing brand, following its agreement to adopt a new name. Thereafter, unsold inventory will be supplied free to government hospitals under supervision, with immediate cessation of all commercial use.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYF1

3. A Hyderabad-based paediatrician has criticised a company for introducing similar-looking packaging following the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India crackdown on misleading ORS branding. The doctor alleged that despite rebranding, the product retains strong recall value, potentially misleading consumers and raising ongoing public health concerns over confusion between therapeutic ORS and commercial electrolyte drinks.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYF3

4. The US FDA clarified that compounded versions of GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs can only be produced during official shortages. With supply stabilising, compounders must stop manufacturing copycat versions once drugs are removed from the shortage list. The regulator warned of enforcement action against non-compliant pharmacies and telehealth providers.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sbL5

5. India’s Drugs Technical Advisory Board, has recommended amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 to introduce licensing provisions for drug marketers. The move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and monitoring of entities that market drugs manufactured by other companies under their own label.
Source 1: shortlink.uk/1mYF8
Source 2: shortlink.uk/1mYFb

Posted on

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

1. The Government is preparing a policy response after seeking inputs from the pharmaceutical industry on the ongoing shortage and price surge of critical solvents and chemicals. Industry reported sharp increases in inputs like isopropyl alcohol and other petrochemical-based solvents, impacting production costs and supply continuity, prompting urgent intervention and long-term supply-chain stabilisation measures.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYxw

2. The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on an interim plea filed by Asian News International in a copyright infringement case against OpenAI. The case questions whether copyrighted news content can be used to train AI models like ChatGPT without permission, marking a first-of-its-kind legal challenge in India.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYy0

3. The Government is considering invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate prices of bulk drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients amid supply disruptions linked to West Asia tensions. The Department of Pharmaceuticals is consulting industry stakeholders to curb hoarding, stabilize prices, and ensure uninterrupted medicine production.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYxH

4. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has released FAQs on the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, clarifying key reforms including perpetual licence validity, revised turnover thresholds, expanded petty food business definition, and risk-based inspections to simplify compliance and strengthen food safety oversight.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sbDB

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2026, introducing revised labelling exemptions, non-retail container requirements, and updated warning declarations. The amendments will come into force from 1 July 2027, giving industry transition time for compliance.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYxL