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 Drug and Medical Device Regulator, The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has issued a public notice that it will reject applications if the queries to the applications are not responded within 90 days from the date of receipt of the query on its official application portal called SUGAM portal. A time-bound reminder and rejection mechanism for timely disposal of the pending applications has been introduced. Applications pending for two years will now be rejected after 30 days notice if no response is submitted.
Source: h7.cl/1i6LX

2. India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has extended the deadline for importers and manufacturers to obtain BIS certification for aluminium utensils and food and beverage cans covered under the Quality Control Order, 2026. The revised timelines are issued in a phase wise manner based on industry category, beginning from 1 October 2026.
Source: h7.cl/1i6L0

3. Several drug companies are cautious about a new fast approval program under the United States Food and Drug Administration. They fear quicker reviews may weaken scientific scrutiny, increase legal risk, and invite court challenges, even as others support faster access to important medicines for patients nationwide safely.
Source: h7.cl/1i6Lg

4. The Maharashtra Public Health Department has launched dedicated menopause clinics in Pune to provide specialised care for women’s physical and mental health needs. Weekly OPDs will be held every Wednesday at government hospitals, offering medical management, counselling, and lifestyle guidance. The initiative aims to address menopause-related health issues across urban and rural areas.
Source: h7.cl/1n5Uw

5. India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has announced that the Seed Act, 2026, to introduces a nationwide seed traceability through QR codes, mandate seed company registration, and impose penalties up to ₹30 lakh for substandard seeds, and safeguards the traditional seed systems and strengths transparency.
Source: h7.cl/1i6Lp

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 National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) plans to consult subject matter experts to determine a separate pricing structure for cementless knee implants, aiming to ensure affordability and accessibility for patients requiring these advanced medical devices.
Source: bit.ly/43XywRM

2. The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has expressed opposition to the government’s recent directive limiting the entry of medical representatives into Central government hospitals, arguing that such restrictions could hinder the dissemination of critical medical information to healthcare professionals.
Source: bit.ly/4kDnNCZ

3. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is considering the discontinuation of the bundled consent mechanism, proposing stricter regulations to enhance data privacy and security standards in digital platforms.
Source: bit.ly/4kE8qdH

4. India has asserted its stance on protecting pharmaceutical innovations, countering recent patent infringement allegations from Switzerland, and emphasizing the country’s commitment to safeguarding public health interests.
Source: bit.ly/4n66Lzd

5. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is set to introduce new dietary guidelines for schools, aiming to reduce added sugars and sodium in meals, promote plant-based options, and support local agriculture, thereby enhancing student health and nutrition.
Source: bit.ly/3Hzzv2P

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 Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed all e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits within three months to eliminate ‘dark patterns’. Platforms are encouraged to submit self-declarations affirming compliance with the 2023 Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns.
Source: bit.ly/43SkWPg

2. Indian Government is reportedly planning to introduce a Minimum Import Price (MIP) on pharmaceutical raw materials including Key Starting Materials (KSMs), drug intermediates, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to curb the influx of low-cost Chinese imports and support domestic manufacturers.
Source: bit.ly/3Tjvdz6

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has notified the draft Insecticides (Amendment) Rules, 2025, aimed at simplifying licences for insecticides used for household purposes. The amendments reduce application timelines from 90 to 30 days, mandate QR codes on retail packs, and applicants applying for renewal must now meet the educational qualification requirement and require applicants renewing their licences to meet the prescribed educational qualifications.
Source: bit.ly/43PCD23

4. India’s National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission upheld LIC’s appeal, affirming that insurance contracts require utmost good faith (uberrimae fidei) and placing the burden of disclosure on the insured. Citing the insured’s failure to disclose a prior medical condition as material, it found the State Commission’s award flawed and ordered a fresh review.
Source: bit.ly/3SHoBKU

5. India’s Ministry of Finance has revised several General Financial Rules (GFRs) to ease and expedite procurement processes for scientific equipment and consumables in government-funded research and S&T institutions, by raising financial limits for direct purchases and tenders by head of institutes.
Source: bit.ly/3Zlo8lo

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. Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has introduced the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025, effective from April 1, 2026. These Rules apply to construction, demolition, remodeling, renovation, and repair activities, with key provisions on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and waste management plans.
Source: bit.ly/42AOQIu

2. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline the transfer of drugs manufactured in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to domestic markets (Domestic Tariff Area) for sale and distribution. SEZ units are exempted from mandatory import and registration requirements, provided these drugs are not diverted for domestic sale and are used exclusively for export purposes.
Source: bit.ly/44ftUYL

3. Pune Municipal Corporation has issued notices to private hospitals instructing to not demand any advance deposit from patients seeking emergency medical care and to strictly follow the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act, 1949, which forbids demanding any advance deposit from “emergency” patients.
Source: bit.ly/4j52xp2

4. A content creator agreed to remove part of a podcast after a company objected to a guest’s remarks about an antiseptic product. The guest’s claims were considered disparaging. The court-approved settlement also required related social media posts to be deleted to protect the product’s reputation.
Source: bit.ly/42sBOeV

5. A global agricultural company is helping Indian rice farmers adopt eco-friendly farming methods. These practices reduce harmful greenhouse gases. In return, the company will issue its first carbon credits, certified by Gold Standard, which environmentally conscious companies can purchase to offset their emissions.
Source: bit.ly/4iavSgm

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, 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.

Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Drugs cannot claim “Certified by” or “Approved by”: Ministry of AYUSH
India’s AYUSH Ministry has reportedly issued a warning to all ayurveda, siddha, unani and homeopathic drug makers, against the use of any misleading, unsubstantiated claims and false advertisements such as a green logo or false statements like “the product is approved or certified by the ministry”. The Ministry also clarified that it has no role in issuing manufacturing licences or approvals. This warning comes in the backdrop of a misleading advertisements case against a major Ayurvedic drugs and products manufacturer in the Supreme Court of India.
Source: bit.ly/3UF32fP

After Hong Kong, US Food Regulator is probing Indian spices due to reports of contamination
The US Food and Drug Administration has reportedly initiated a probe against two Indian spice manufacturers for their spice mixes which allegedly contain hazardous cancer-causing pesticides. The two manufacturers who are facing similar controversies in Hong Kong and Singapore have refuted the allegations. India’s spice regulator, the Spice Board of India, has taken cognizance of matter and is working closely with the two manufacturers to ascertain the root cause of such allegations.
Source: bit.ly/3UB8q3r

India extends the approval for use of drones for spraying approved pesticides till April 18, 2025
India’s Agriculture Ministry has extended its interim approval by one year, i.e., until April 18, 2025, for drone-based application of already approved pesticides formulations including insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators which were earlier permitted to be only sprayed manually by knapsack sprayers. The earlier approval was valid till April 18, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/4bf9MX7

Indian FMCG companies are reclassifying popular health drinks as functional nutritional drinks to comply with the recent government directions
Days after India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a directive to all e-commerce sites instructing not to list malt drink mixes and other similar products under the category of health drinks, Indian manufacturers have started reclassifying their products. A major manufacturer of food products has classified its malt drink mix as “Functional Nutritional Drink”. India’s food regulator had clarified earlier this month that there is no category called “health drink” under which it grants manufacturing license.
Source: bit.ly/4dbOpb7

India’s Madras High Court denies relief to doctors for violating bond conditions; directs them to undertake Bond Service in Government Medical College and Hospitals
India’s Madras High Court has upheld the validity of bond service conditions based on bond agreements signed by doctors. The instant case related to temporary appointment of three doctors to the post of Assistant Surgeon in compliance with bond agreement. The doctors claimed that they had served during COVID-19 pandemic period and urged their service be calculated basis two years of service as stipulated in the bond. The High Court stated that the period of COVID duty done by Medical Officers after completion of their PG courses alone will be treated as Bond Service and services rendered by the Postgraduates during their courses would be considered as study period only.
Source: bit.ly/44opFYX

 

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, 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.

Indian government may reconsider its decision of prohibiting manufacture of drugs and nutraceuticals, health supplements in same facility
The Indian government is reportedly reconsidering its decision to act against pharmaceutical companies who are manufacturing nutraceuticals, health supplements and drugs in the same facility, due to objections raised by small scale manufacturers. The previous Good Manufacturing Practices (Schedule M) for drugs gave some concession to manufacturers of drugs to manufacture nutraceuticals and health supplements in the same facility. However, no such concession exists under revised Good Manufacturing Practices (Schedule M) published in December 2023.
Source: bit.ly/3x59lQo

Exporters of Indian farm produce are facing phytosanitary challenges
Indian agricultural exports, including fruits and vegetables, are reportedly finding it difficult to enter regions like Europe, Australia, and the US due to tough phytosanitary requirements and thresholds such as high pesticide content. In response, India’s Commerce Ministry is reportedly creating a data set on export consignments of agricultural exports that were refused by European countries and other nations on grounds of phytosanitary non-compliances, resulting in significant trade hurdles regardless of duty relaxations. A phytosanitary certificate is required for the export of agricultural products to ensure that the produce is pest-free, disease-free, and meets other health requirements such as traceability at the farm level.
Source: bit.ly/4ctvxnB

Indian government has established Fact Check Units to check spread of fake news
The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has appointed the Press Information Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as Fact Check Unit to address fake and misleading news against Central Government. The fact check unit of the central government is expected to vet all the online content related to the business of the central government. Any content identified as fake by the unit will be taken down from the internet.
Source: bit.ly/3Px3Yj8

The Centre gives more time to states to establish Allied Healthcare Councils
India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has extended the timeline for states to establish state allied and healthcare councils by six months. State Governments have to setup State Councils for Allied Healthcare by November 2024. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act 2021, which regulates quality of allied and other healthcare professionals in India, will be operationalized once the State Councils have been established.
Sourve : bit.ly/3PxeZ4d

Integrated Veterinary Health Certificates (VHC) mandatory after 30th June,2024 for import of milk and milk products into India
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline for implementing its decision to require imported food consignment of milk and milk products to be supported by an integrated veterinary health certificate. The requirement will take effect on July 1, 2024. From that date, only those milk and milk products that are supported by integrated veterinary health certificates will be allowed importation into India. The Integrated Veterinary Health Certificate must demonstrate that imported milk and milk products meet both the FSSAI’s food safety standards and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s (DAHD) sanitary criteria.
Source: bit.ly/3TIh53F