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. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe issued an Order on June 12, 2026 barring hospitals, doctors, and affiliated pharmacies from compelling patients to buy medicines exclusively from in-house pharmacies. Prescriptions must be handed directly to patients which gives the patients an option to pick pharmacy of their choice. This restriction put by hospitals on the choice of the patient to purchase medicines from their choice of a pharmacy amounts to unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Further, hospitals must now display notices stating patients of their right to purchase medicines from any licensed pharmacy of their choice in English and Marathi.
Source: shortlink.uk/1xhAz

2. The Jharkhand High Court has directed a complete ban on the conduct of the “two-finger test” in all hospitals, medical colleges, and healthcare institutions across the State. Reiterating established legal and medical principles, the Court observed that the practice is unscientific, violates the dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy of survivors of sexual assault, and has no evidentiary value in determining consent or sexual history. The Court directed the concerned authorities to ensure strict compliance with existing guidelines and legal standards governing the medical examination of sexual assault survivors, while emphasizing the need for survivor-centric and trauma-informed medical care. The ruling reinforces the prohibition on the use of the test and underscores the obligation of healthcare institutions to adhere to prescribed medico-legal protocols.
Source: shortlink.uk/1xgoW

3. The Telangana Drugs Control Administration has reportedly intensified enforcement against illegal medicine distribution by raiding an unauthorized supplier of cardiac stimulant injections and an unlicensed medical shop. Authorities warned against unauthorized sales and supply of prescription medicines.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rOoZ

4. The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that strict compliance with the PCPNDT Act, 1994 is essential to prevent sex-selective practices and female foeticide. The Court held that deficiencies in mandatory records, including Form F, are not mere technical errors but substantive violations. Emphasising the Act’s objective, it observed that accurate documentation is a crucial safeguard for effective monitoring, enforcement, and prevention of unlawful sex determination practices.
Source: shortlink.uk/1xgqd

5.India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to Drugs Rules, 1945 dated June 9, 2026. The amendment removes the term “Syrups” from Item (7) under Serial No. 13 of Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945. This means that now syrups will be sold under a sales license only. Schedule K specifies certain classes of drugs and categories of persons or institutions that are exempt from specific provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules made thereunder, subject to prescribed conditions. The amendment came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rOqd

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 Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched a centralized online patient feedback system across its hospitals and dispensaries nationwide to strengthen patient-centric healthcare delivery. The digital platform enables beneficiaries to submit feedback on healthcare services received at ESIC facilities, facilitating real-time monitoring of patient experiences and service quality. The initiative will help identify service gaps, support continuous quality improvement, and strengthen the overall healthcare experience for insured persons and their dependents.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rjWU

2. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a liquor manufacturer arising from the transport of liquor consignments where authorities found two liquor cases without a valid permit and bottles bearing batch numbers different from those specified in the permit. The Court observed that the batch-number discrepancies resulted from inadvertent labelling errors by workers, with no evidence of adulteration or revenue loss to the government. Holding that only the transport of the two unpermitted liquor cases constituted an offence, the Court compounded the matter and imposed a monetary penalty, while allowing separate departmental action for licence-condition violations to continue.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wKXJ

3. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to Schedule V of the Drugs Rules, 1945, substituting the unit for folic acid from “mg” (milligram) to “mcg” (microgram). The amendment will come into force six months from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rjX4

4. The Ministry of AYUSH has amended the NCISM appointment rules to reduce the minimum experience required for appointment as Secretary to the Commission from 15 years to 7 years. The amendments also clarify that serving government officials appointed to NCISM or its Autonomous Boards will be treated as being on deputation and provide alternative provident fund coverage where General Provident Fund subscription is unavailable. This strengthens the institutional and human-resource framework of the NCISM, which oversees standards in Indian systems of medicine.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rjWU

5. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is considering raising prices of key platinum-based cancer drugs like cisplatin and carboplatin after manufacturers flagged steep increases in raw material costs, especially platinum. Authorities are balancing concerns over patient affordability with the risk of supply shortages if prices remain unchanged.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wKXQ

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 food authority, FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026 which introduces revised official logo specifications for approved vegan food products, replacing the 2022 framework. Mandating the updated logo on all approved packages, the new requirements will take effect from July 1, 2027, offering businesses a transition period for packaging updates.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qVzx

2. The Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, allowing importers to make mandatory declarations at bonded warehouses of Tier-2 and Tier-3 Authorised Economic Operators. The amendments also require disclosure of the director responsible for violations, mandate annual updates of registration details, and clarify that registration certificates will remain valid until cancelled.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qVzz

3. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched a centralized online patient feedback system across its hospitals and dispensaries to strengthen patient-centric healthcare delivery and improve service quality. The digital platform enables beneficiaries to submit feedback on various aspects of healthcare services, including medical care, staff behaviour, cleanliness, waiting time, and overall patient experience. The initiative aims to facilitate real-time monitoring of patient satisfaction, enhance accountability, and support timely resolution of grievances.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wkLy

4. The Delhi High Court has allowed pharmaceutical company to continue selling its cancer drug Bevatas, overturning an earlier order. The court ruled that Bevatas and Bevetex are sufficiently distinct in appearance, pronunciation and use, making consumer confusion unlikely and permitting continued sales.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wkLD

5. The National Medical Commission has issued an advisory directing all medical colleges to mandatorily implement safe injection practices, including exclusive use of sterile single-use needles and syringes, strict infection prevention measures, proper biomedical waste disposal, periodic staff training, and prompt reporting of needle-stick injuries to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV).
Source: shortlink.uk/1wkLF

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 Department of Consumer Affairs met with major edible oil industry associations on 20 May 2026 to discuss standardizing pack sizes between 200 ml and 20 litres. The initiative aims to enhance consumer protection, ensure transparency in pricing, and prevent misleading packaging. Associations representing 90% of the sector supported the proposal, recommending exemptions for minor oils and packs below 200 ml, with a three month transition period for implementation.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vJbr

2. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has clarified that Form CT-16 applications for import of Reference Listed Drugs (RLDs) or Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) for export-oriented BA-BE studies may be submitted on a standalone basis through the NSWS portal. The clarification addresses operational issues due to lack of system linkage between CT-05 prior intimation applications and CT-16 applications on the SUGAM portal.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vJby

3. The Karnataka Pharma Retailers & Distributors Organization (KPRDO) has urged the government to immediately curb misleading advertisements and aggressive promotional practices relating to prescription, life-saving, and scheduled medicines, particularly across social media platforms. The organisation has also called for the creation of a specialised enforcement team and digital monitoring mechanism to address regulatory violations under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act and the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act. The recommendations could also intensify scrutiny on pharmaceutical advertising, online promotional activities, pharmacy practices, and trade compliance across the healthcare and pharma sectors.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vJbD

4. India’s central food authority has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, revising contaminant limits across pulses, edible oils, seafood, oilseeds, and nutmeg containing products. Updated standards cover heavy metals, aflatoxins, veterinary drug residues, and inorganic arsenic in fish oils, effective from 1 December 2026. Food businesses, seafood exporters, and nutraceutical companies must review and strengthen quality assurance systems, testing protocols, and sourcing controls to ensure compliance.
Source: FSSAI Gazette Notification, Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026
Source: shortlink.uk/1vJbI

5. India’s Himachal Pradesh High Court has ruled that criminal liability cannot automatically be imposed on all directors or partners of a pharmaceutical company without specific averments establishing individual roles in business conduct. The judgment tightens procedural and evidentiary requirements for regulators prosecuting ‘Not of Standard Quality’ and spurious drug cases, potentially making enforcement actions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act more legally complex for drug regulators and enforcement agencies.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vMU6

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.

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

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 Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has cancelled the import registration certificate of a cosmetic peel product due to non-compliance with prescribed pH tolerance limits and labelling requirements, including a “patient use” claim that did not conform to applicable Indian cosmetic labelling standards. The action reflects increased regulatory scrutiny of cosmetic product safety and labelling in India.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uZtd

2. A Parliamentary panel has recommended that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) establish a uniform regulatory framework to address misleading advertisements relating to Ayush products, noting that the existing mechanism may result in inconsistent handling of complaints across States. The panel further observed that the absence of a standardized timeline and monitoring framework for disposal of complaints could undermine the effectiveness of the complaint reporting mechanism and potentially discourage citizens from reporting such violations.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uZth

3. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched the Intellectual Property Catalyst initiative and digital platform to accelerate commercialization of innovations in electronics and information technology. The initiative will support patent filing, technology transfer, licensing, and industry collaboration, while enabling startups and enterprises to access indigenous technologies developed through publicly funded research.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pDUl

4. The Indian government is reportedly considering measures to regulate rising healthcare costs in private hospitals, including capping doctor consultation fees and hospital billing margins through amendments to the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010. The move aims to standardize private healthcare costs, enhance transparency, and prevent overcharging, while balancing regulatory oversight with professional autonomy in medical practice.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uZtk

5. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is reportedly exploring regulatory pathways to support the repurposing of older approved drugs for new therapeutic indications, with the aim of accelerating patient access to treatments while reducing development timelines and costs. USFDA said it is focusing on three categories of drug candidates: those with existing data supporting new uses, those showing early clinical promise, and those backed by preclinical or AI/ML-generated findings. FDA is seeking public input from patients, clinicians, public health officials, and researchers regarding priority disease areas and potential drugs for repurposing.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pDUo

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 Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has advised stakeholders to submit clinical trial protocols simultaneously to CDSCO and Ethics Committees under Chapter III of the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019. This is important as it aims to reduce approval timelines and improve regulatory efficiency, enabling faster initiation of clinical trials and quicker patient access to innovative therapies.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pAw-

2. The Parliamentary Panel on Health and Family Welfare has reportedly urged the Ministry of AYUSH to strengthen international cooperation by prioritising partner countries for joint research, clinical studies, academic exchanges and capacity building in traditional medicine. The panel also recommended improving the Ayush Global Portal for better accessibility and global engagement. it could improve scientific validation, expand international acceptance of Ayurveda and yoga, and enhance India’s global influence in healthcare.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pAx1

3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly issued a show-cause notice to a clean label food brand over claims that its chocolates contain “no added sugar” despite using dates and date powder as sweeteners. The action follows complaints by a rival brand and raises questions over compliance with FSSAI’s rules over claiming “non-addition of sugars”. The dispute could influence how food companies market sugar-free or no-added-sugar products in India’s growing chocolate sector.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uVZF

4. Private hospital associations have raised concerns over CGHS reimbursement caps, warning that limiting payouts to 70% of MRP for high-cost immunotherapy drugs may hinder access to advanced cancer care. This is important as this could increase patient costs, restrict use of costly treatments, and strain hospitals’ ability to provide life-saving oncology therapies.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pAx9

5. A lawsuit filed in California has raised concerns around AI-generated health and substance-use advice after allegations that chatbot interactions contributed to a teenager’s fatal overdose. The suit reportedly alleges that unsafe guidance on drug combinations was provided without adequate safeguards or warnings. The matter reflects growing regulatory oversight for AI tools used in healthcare, mental health, and wellness contexts.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pAxb

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 Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued an advisory directing manufacturers and importers to submit Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) from the actual marketing date of new drugs, not approval date. The regulator also mandated consolidated PSUR submissions covering all dosage forms and indications to prevent duplication and improve post-marketing safety monitoring. This is important because accurate PSUR timelines strengthen drug safety surveillance and help regulators detect adverse effects more effectively.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uTal

2. India’s central drug licensing authority has reportedly directed states to intensify action against the illegal sale and misuse of sexual enhancement drugs such as sildenafil, varde¬na¬fil and tadalafil, citing public safety and social concerns. The regulator has ordered raids against illegal clinics, pharmacies, and online platforms, alongside stricter monitoring, awareness measures, and legislative action to curb unauthorized sales without prescriptions.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uTas

3. The Delhi High Court granted interim relief in a trademark and copyright dispute concerning sexual wellness products marketed under the “Stand Up” branding. The Court found the competing packaging and labels deceptively similar and ordered removal of online listings, while restraining further use of the disputed branding pending adjudication.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uTax

4. The Delhi Commercial Court has granted a permanent injunction restraining the defendants from manufacturing, selling, or dealing in cosmetics under the deceptively similar “ROOP LADY” trademark and sindoor bottle design, holding that the defendants had no proprietary rights over the impugned mark/design and that their activities amounted to trademark infringement, design piracy, copyright infringement, and passing off. This is important as the ruling reinforces judicial protection of intellectual property rights in the cosmetics and personal care sector, particularly against counterfeit and deceptively similar products that may mislead consumers and dilute brand goodwill.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pxNP

5. Maharashtra’s State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) has reportedly launched stricter oversight of blood banks following reports of profiteering through the sale of excess plasma at inflated rates. The council has introduced a 50-point inspection checklist and warned against over-collection and unauthorized plasma transfers, aiming to strengthen ethical blood banking practices and patient safety.
Source: shortlink.uk/1uTaS

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 of India is considering capping billing margins charged by private hospitals on medical devices to curb overcharging and reduce treatment costs. This is important as excessive markups increase patient expenses and insurance premiums. If implemented, it will limit hospital margins, improving pricing transparency and affordability.
Source: shortlink.uk/1olUB

2. The Central Government has established the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), with effect from May 1, 2026, under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, to regulate the gaming sector. Operating under MeitY, this multi-sectoral authority will oversee licensing, mandate registration for esports, and enforce stringent compliance requirements, with a view to enhancing user safety and strengthening regulatory oversight of online gaming.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tDQe

3. Indias central drug ministry has proposed amendment to Drugs Rules 1945 by expanding the list of licences that may be exempted from requiring a Form 29 licence for manufacturing of drugs for test or analysis. The amendment proposes to include Forms 25A (loan licences), 25F (Schedule X drugs), 28A/28B (Schedule C, C(1), and X drugs), 28D/28DA (vaccines, sera, r-DNA drugs), and 28F (umbilical cord blood stem cells). Objections and suggestions from the industry will be considered for thirty days.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tDQk

4. The Delhi High Court has restrained the use of the trademark “MARQ,” finding it deceptively similar to “MARC” and likely to confuse consumers. This reinforces trademark protection by emphasizing that minor spelling differences, use of house marks, or later registrations do not override prior rights and established goodwill.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tDQs

5. Government of India plans a Health Claims Index to transparency and standardize pricing in India health insurance sector. Using anonymized data from the National Health Claims Exchange, it will benchmark claims timelines, approvals and costs, enabling underwriting, reducing inefficiencies, and supporting informed consumer decisions, subject to scale and execution.
Source: shortlink.uk/1olUW

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 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued an advisory directing food businesses to avoid the use of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) leaves in crude, extract, or any other form in food products. This is important as Ashwagandha is widely used in nutraceutical and functional food formulations, signalling tighter scrutiny on botanical ingredients. Companies may now need to review formulations and ensure regulatory compliance.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tzwL

2. The Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission issued a non-bailable warrant against the managing director of a multinational fast food company, for failing to comply with a November 2024 order to discontinue levying packing charges, pay compensation for unfair trade practices, and repeated non-appearance. This is important as it signals stricter enforcement of consumer rulings and increased personal accountability of senior leadership.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tzwQ

3. Pharmaceutical traders have opposed draft amendments to the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, mandating disclosure of sterilization site licence numbers on labels and revising testing fees. The industry warns this may restrict vendor flexibility, delay supplies, and increase compliance burden, particularly impacting SMEs and overall supply chain efficiency.
Source: shortlink.uk/1ohJu

4. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the Medical Devices Rules 2017 requiring manufacturers to include sterilization site licence numbers on labels when sterilization is outsourced, along with revised testing and annual fees, prompting concerns from industry stakeholders. This is important as the changes may increase compliance costs and disrupt supply chains. Companies may need to redesign labels, reassess vendors, and adjust operations.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tzwY

5. National Comprehensive Cancer Network has updated global breast cancer screening guidelines to include image-based AI risk assessment using mammograms, recommending risk evaluation starting at age 35 to enable personalized screening strategies. This shifts screening from detection to early risk prediction, enabling earlier intervention. Healthcare providers may now adopt AI-based tools and adjust screening protocols.
Source: shortlink.uk/1tzx8