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.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has placed Pregabalin under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, amid concerns over its rising misuse for sedative, euphoric, and dissociative effects, particularly among youth. The move seeks to strengthen regulatory control by restricting over-the-counter access and ensuring sale only against valid prescriptions with stricter monitoring and record-keeping requirements.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8d

India’s Madras High Court ruled that a mother need not undergo DNA testing to donate a kidney to her son when official records establish their biological relationship. The court set aside the transplant approval rejection and directed authorities to permit the donation immediately. This humanitarian interpretation reinforces that documentation standards should prioritise life saving procedures over rigid procedural requirements, potentially influencing future authorization committee decisions on donor recipient relationships.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8z

India’s central food authority is moving towards a centralised food surveillance system deploying third party agencies for sample collection, centralised laboratory testing, and digital alerts for faster regulatory action. The framework requires 50% of samples from organised supply chains. The shift signals a technology driven overhaul of food safety governance, raising compliance and traceability expectations for manufacturers, retailers, and supply chain operators.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8l

4. Global pharmaceutical companies are increasingly shifting high-value clinical research, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, and innovation-led functions to India as the country evolves from a low-cost outsourcing destination into a strategic global research and development hub. The shift could accelerate investments in clinical research infrastructure, advanced therapies, AI-enabled drug development, and specialised talent while strengthening India’s competitiveness as a global life sciences and biotech hub.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qk9u

5. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected allegations of monopoly and excessive pricing against 12 private hospitals in Delhi, ruling that higher prices alone do not prove abuse of dominance. The regulator found hospitals operated within competition norms, allowed external procurement, and charged within MRP, dismissing decade-long complaints.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8q

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 Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, has been amended by introducing phased mandatory recycled plastic content targets, carry-forward provisions for shortfalls, and stronger audit mechanisms. Pharma, FMCG, and packaging companies must reassess packaging strategies and EPR compliance, as regulators expand enforcement and introduce verification through registered environmental auditors and certificate-based compliance mechanisms.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYB5

2. The Government has notified the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, introducing stricter penalties for coercion, forced identity changes, and abuse, while formalising medical board certification and identity updates. The amendment also mandates reporting by medical institutions post-gender surgery, signaling stronger accountability obligations across healthcare providers and institutions.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYB9

3. The Government has notified the Cookware, Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages Quality Control Order, 2026, mandating Bureau of Indian Standards certification for specified products, including stainless steel utensils, sinks, and metal cans, with phased implementation and limited exemptions for exports, existing stock, and research imports.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYBl

4. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lower House of Indian Parliament, which proposes decriminalisation of 717 provisions across 79 central laws, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties and administrative actions. The reform aims to reduce regulatory burden, promote ease of doing business, and shift toward trust-based governance, significantly impacting compliance frameworks for businesses across sectors
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYBq

5. The Centre has proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to bring social media users sharing news and current affairs under regulatory oversight. The draft expands government advisory compliance, strengthens content monitoring, and empowers authorities to review user-generated news content. Stakeholder comments are invited until April 14, 2026.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYBx