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 ministry of environment, forest and climate change has recently issued an office memorandum stating a revised list of high end and high value used / refurbished medical equipment for import. MRI, CT and radiography devices are some of the new inclusions in the list. This may lead to unchecked import of refurbished medical devices in India, and potentially risk patient safety. This will also negatively impact Make in India Initiatives. (Order attached).
Source: bit.ly/4hqd4ea

2. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has given the quick e-commerce companies a notice of 15 days for violations related to packaged product disclosures mandated under the Legal Metrology Act, which mandates online and offline retailers to display key product information, maximum retail price, expiration date, weight, manufacturer details, etc on packaged goods. This re-emphasises regulatory stance on consumer safety and disclosure requirements.
Source: bit.ly/3YEp5oF

3. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC ) under the aegis of Ministry of Finance has issued Notification No. 69/2024-Customs (N.T.) dated October 23, 2024, updating the tariff values for imported commodities such as that of edible oils such as Palm Oil and Soya, brass scrap, gold, silver etc (Notification attached).
Source: bit.ly/3BUSmm7

4. Institutions of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has designed ‘FluoriPCR’, a device which will help test for food adulteration and presence of bacteria, viruses and fungi etc in food items, increasing the affordability to conduct such tests.
Source: bit.ly/3YqBBah

5. Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) has updated the guidance on the application of MDR requirements to ‘legacy devices’ and ‘old’ devices, taking into account the amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR) has been amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/607
Source: bit.ly/3YGoCm7

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. Use of artificial yellow food coloring ‘Tartrazine’ in food items like moong dal is not food adulteration as ‘Tartrazine’ is a permitted food coloring under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955; India’s Supreme Court.
Source: bit.ly/4718Tk4

2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has withdrawn the clarification for selling / marketing of milk and milk products in the name of A1 & A2 for further consultation. Previously, FSSAI had clarified that it is misleading to differentiate milk and milk products on whether they are made from A1 milk or A2 milk and had thereby directed to remove such claims from such products including e-commerce websites.
Source: bit.ly/4778axU

3. Retail prices to be reportedly reduced by 50% of anti-diabetic drug Empagliflozin, which is expected to go off patent in March 2025 under Drugs Price Control Order, 2013.
Source: bit.ly/470IFxW

4. Indian Pharmaceutical Industry has urged to amend and delete the term “retailer” from the definition of dealer under Drugs Price Control Order, 2013 (DPCO). Manufacturers and importers are required to furnish price list to dealers. The inclusion of ‘retailer’ within the definition of ‘dealer’ has led to confusion over the extent of this obligation, potentially extending the manufacturer’s and importer’s liability beyond wholesalers to include retailers as well. If approved, Retailers, who typically interact with consumers directly, would be excluded from the manufacturer’s direct regulatory responsibilities, thereby allowing the focus to remain on the wholesale distribution channel.
Source: bit.ly/3ABX4Vs

5. QR Codes / Bar Codes may reportedly be made mandatory for vaccines, cancer drugs and antibiotics to validate the authenticity of drugs and prevent the supply of counterfeits.
Source: bit.ly/475pDGH