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 Pharmaceuticals is planning to impose a Minimum Import Price (MIP) on certain active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates including potassium clavulanate to deter cheap imports (especially from China) and strengthen domestic raw material production under the PLI scheme.
Source: short-url.org/1fZwh

2. The Delhi High Court has allowed the company to use of the phrase “why settle for ordinary Chyawanprash” in advertisements, but directed removal of the reference “made with 40 herbs”, deeming it disparaging. The court said the remaining claim is permissible as puffery and not misleading.
Source: short-url.org/1fZwo

3. The Bombay High Court has quashed the drug regulator’s stop-production orders against two pharmaceutical companies. The court found the actions violated statutory procedures and denied the companies a fair hearing. However, it clarified that regulators may take fresh action if proper procedures are followed.
Source: short-url.org/1fZwB

4. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued the draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2025, seeking stakeholder inputs by 6 October 2025. The draft mandates annual financial year audits, stricter infrastructure sharing rules, and aims for enforcement from 1 April 2026.
Source: short-url.org/1fZwO

5. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies has rescheduled the oral hearing in the anti dumping sunset review of methyl acetoacetate imports from China to October 8, 2025. The review will decide if duties must continue to prevent dumping and protect domestic industry.
Source: short-url.org/1fZwV

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 Pharmaceuticals has amended the UCMPMD 2024, clarifying valuation of free evaluation samples at stockist price if self-manufactured or average purchase price if sourced externally. Companies in multiple associations may submit disclosures through one, with prior intimation to others and notification to the Department when switching.
Source: short-link.me/18ym-

2. India’s Health Ministry has proposed amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, enabling simplified approval for bioavailability and bioequivalence (BA/BE) studies of oral drugs approved in India or select countries, for export purposes. The draft exempts certain drug categories and caps sample size at 48. Stakeholders may submit objections or suggestions by 27 September 2025.
Source: short-link.me/1d3UX

3. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) have released draft protocols for evaluating In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) for tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains. Stakeholders can submit comments by September 7, 2025. Final protocols will be based on this feedback before final clearance is given by ICMR and CDSCO.
Source: short-link.me/18ylZ

4. India’s Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that legible medical prescriptions is a fundamental right of patients and doctors must write prescriptions in capital letters until Digitalization. PGIMER Chandigarh’s “Doctor Desk” e-prescription system is expected to be implemented within two years.
Source: short-link.me/18ym7

5. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued draft amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. The proposals reduce approval timelines from ninety to forty-five working days and introduce a simplified notification system for manufacturing certain drugs meant for analytical and preclinical testing.
Source: short-link.me/1d3Vg

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 Mental Health Authority (CMHA) has amended the Central Mental Health Act and introduced a five-category classification for mental health establishments covering spanning stand-alone mental hospitals to psychosocial rehabilitation centres. All the establishments are mandated to register with the Authority effective immediately.
Source: short-link.me/175VU

2. India’s Central Food authority (FSSAI) has amended the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2025 which requires all “Coffee Blended with Chicory” or “Instant Coffee-Chicory Mixture” packages to clearly declare the percentage of coffee and chicory on the front label starting July 1, 2026.
Source: short-link.me/175Xx

3. The Karnataka High Court held that exporters should not be denied incentives over a technical mistake such as ticking “No” instead of “Yes” for reward claims in a shipping bill especially when the intent to claim was clear elsewhere. Even if submitted via restrictive online systems, procedural inflexibility cannot override principles of natural justice.
Source: short-link.me/1bxwd

4. India’s Central Food authority (FSSAI) in a recent stakeholder’s meeting stressed on ethical food labelling, advertising and scientific claims, calling for external validation to curb misleading practices. It announced that label changes will be implemented annually, giving businesses predictability while strengthening consumer protection and trust in food safety regulations.
Source: short-link.me/1bxwn
  
5. The Ministry of Ayush and India’s Central Food authority (FSSAI) has recently unveiled a curated list of over 90 “Ayurveda Ahar” food products (e.g., khichdi, curds, soups), grounded in classical Ayurvedic texts. These standardized recipes aim to promote preventive health, support Indian manufacturers, and cultivate both domestic and global markets.
Source: short-link.me/1bxwu

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 Health and Family Welfare has amended the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 introducing clearer expiry labelling, redefining terms, updating recordkeeping norms, and empowering authorities to suspend or cancel licences. Notable changes include labelling for exports, new batch record rules, and designation of the Central Cosmetics Laboratory.
Source: short-link.me/1aoFG

2. In order to enhance ease of doing business, India’s central drug authority (CDSCO) has streamlined the process of issuance of Dual Use NOC through Sugam Portal for importing bulk drugs for non-medicinal use. Further to reduce the compliance burden, CDSCO has initiated issue of 1 year NOC, subject to prescribed conditions for such drugs. The new online Dual use system will be effective from 31st August 2025.
Source: short-link.me/1aoEr

3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated all food business operators such as restaurants, cafes, dhabas and cloud kitchens to display their licence or registration along with a QR code linking to the Food Safety Connect app. This helps consumers access details, lodge complaints and provide feedback, promoting transparency and accountability.
Source: short-link.me/1aoOH

4. The Indian government enacted the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (VOPPA) Regulation Order, 2025, replacing the 2011 framework. It mandates mandatory registration for all vegetable oil producers, monthly online reporting of production, stocks, sales, and pricing, and grants authorities inspection and enforcement powers to boost market transparency and curb hoarding.
Source: short-link.me/1aoEM

5. Karnataka’s Health & Family Welfare Department has filed 29 legal cases under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, and has served show-cause notices to 231 pharmacies for dispensing prescription drugs without prescriptions; simultaneously, authorities have flagged food vendors using synthetic colors and have issued warnings.
Source: short-link.me/1aoEW

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 the first amendment to Food Products Standards & Food Additives Regulations, introducing norms for meat sausages, dehydrated tarragon, changes in packaged drinking water specifications, and revisions to food colour and additive rules. The regulations take effect from 1 February 2026.
Source: bit.ly/44C2uMH

2. The Supreme Court of India has recently ruled that stem cell banking including enrolment, collection, processing, and storage of umbilical cord blood qualifies as a healthcare service. It held that such services support preventive and therapeutic care, and are therefore exempt from service tax.
Source: bit.ly/3Ixa7eK

3. India’s Central Drug Authority (CDSCO) has released a guidance document outlining the process for manufacturers to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for exporting unapproved or approved new drugs. Key updates include mandatory online applications, one-time registration valid for a year, detailed reconciliation and a 7-day NOC issuance timeline.
Source: bit.ly/4kLR6CO

4. India’s Women & Child Development Ministry has issued an advisory to states urging them to curb edible oil usage amid rising obesity and non communicable diseases. It also reiterates previous guidance to limit added salt, sugar, and synthetic additives in Anganwadi nutrition provisions.
Source: bit.ly/4m37IH3

5. In India–EU trade negotiations, the EU seeks substantial tariff reductions on medical devices, automobiles, wine, spirits, meat, poultry, and stronger IP protections. Automotive and med tech duties currently up to 10% are in focus. India is pushing for reciprocity, including non tariff barrier reductions under phased FTA talks.
Source: bit.ly/4lZN8Hu

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 Indian Medical Association (IMA) has challenged the Maharashtra government’s decision allowing homeopaths to prescribe allopathic medicines after six months of certified training, calling it a threat to public health. The IMA has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, urging an expedited resolution of the matter.
Source: bit.ly/4kl20ip

2. A government panel, the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under CDSCO, has directed State Licensing Authorities not to issue manufacturing licenses for new drugs without prior approval from the Central Licensing Authority (CLA), as mandated by New Drugs Clinical Trial Rules 2019.
Source: bit.ly/3GC8A6l

3. India’s NITI Aayog has setup an expert panel to review quality concerns in India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing. It will assess regulatory gaps and challenges across 3,000 companies and 10,500 units. The goal is to align production with global standards, boost compliance, and ensure patient safety to uphold India’s global medicine supplier status.
Source: bit.ly/3GvWBHB

4. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended inclusion of detachable Braille cards and voice-enabled QR codes on medicine packaging to enhance accessibility for visually impaired patients. The proposal aims to standardize inclusive labeling across pharma products, aligning with patient-centric and accessibility-first regulatory reforms.
Source: bit.ly/3TttpUw

5. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has approved amendments to Forms 27D/27DA and 28D/28DA under the Drugs Rules, 1945, enabling manufacturers to apply for licenses to produce stem cell-derived, gene therapy, xenograft, and modified-release products via both state and central authorities.
Source: bit.ly/3Ii5o0f

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. Medical device companies have raised concerns over Uniform Code for Marketing Practices for Medical Devices (UCMPMD) and have approached the Department of Pharmaceuticals, citing overreach and operational challenges, particularly in the context of a DGHS advisory that restricted medical representative’s interactions with HCPs in government hospitals.
Source: bit.ly/3InfXiu

2. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is working on making drugs/medicine packaging more readable. The move aims to improve visibility of key details like expiry dates and dosages, addressing concerns over hard-to-read glossy labels. Proposed measures include clearer print standards and digital aids such as voice-enabled QR codes and Braille cards to enhance accessibility and consumer safety.
Source: bit.ly/46oMIpA

3. India’s Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has agreed to amend the Drugs Rules, 1945, to include Good Distribution Practices (GDP) guidelines for pharmaceutical products as a separate schedule. The decision follows detailed deliberations and stakeholder consultations to align with revised WHO guidelines.
Source: bit.ly/4lxABuC

4. The U.S. FDA is reportedly planning to revise the labeling for all extended-release stimulants prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), requiring inclusion of a “limitation of use” section with a statement on higher rates of adverse reactions in children younger than six years.
Source: bit.ly/4l2REoA

5. The European Commission has amended its regulation to allow electronic instructions for use (eIFUs) for all medical devices intended for professional use, not just high-risk ones. Paper instructions are still required if the device could also be used by patients. eIFUs must be linked in Eudamed (the European medical device database).
Source: bit.ly/4lcdMx1

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. India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the draft Plastic Rules to mandate the use of recycled plastic in plastic packaging from FY 2025-26. Category-wise targets are specified, and CPCB may allow exemptions in cases involving statutory or technical constraints along with a three-year carry-forward for shortfalls in initial compliance. Stakeholders can submit objections to the draft within 60 days.
Source: bit.ly/4e0zhxV

2. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) prices, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now declining, easing cost pressures on India’s pharmaceutical industry. As the sector relies heavily on imports from China, the drop in raw material costs is improving profit margins and providing much-needed relief to drug manufacturers.
Source: bit.ly/4dOkypE

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has made amendment to Insecticides Rules, 1971 and introduced the new labelling requirement. Labels must follow new formats by pack size, include QR codes, safety warnings, and detailed info in Hindi and English. The said amendment comes into effect from June 3, 2025, with a phased compliance timeline for industry implementation.
Source: bit.ly/45hnclP

4. Indian Government has launched the ‘Ayush Nivesh Saarthi’ portal to attract global investment in traditional medicine. The platform offers a unified interface for investors, integrating policy frameworks, incentive schemes, and investment-ready projects. This initiative aims to position India as a global hub for traditional medicine and wellness
Source: bit.ly/45bCTe5

5. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published a draft guideline for public consultation, offering recommendations on including or retaining pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in clinical trials. The aim is to generate reliable clinical data to support informed, evidence-based treatment decisions for these populations.
Source: bit.ly/43xtYCH

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 Indian government has barred medical representatives from meeting doctors in central government hospitals to curb unethical practices. Instead of in-person visits, pharmaceutical companies are now encouraged to communicate updates to doctors through digital channels such as email.
Source: bit.ly/4ksiiaj

2. Health Ministry of India is reportedly set to implement mandatory Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) to improve the screening of imported blood products to enhance transfusion safety. NAT detects infections like HIV and Hepatitis B during the early “window period,” reducing transmission risks.
Source: bit.ly/43NZxqI

3. The Karnataka government has amended the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. The amendments also ban hookah bars statewide and increase fines for use of tobacco products in public.
Source: bit.ly/43E0rpC

4. Several corporate maternity hospitals in Hyderabad are reportedly under review for charging extra fees for ‘muhurat’ (auspicious time) deliveries, often conducted through scheduled C-sections, raising ethical and regulatory concerns.
Source: bit.ly/3ZNxjuK

5. Indian Council of Medical Research survey reveals over 40% of sub-district public hospitals in 7 states lack basic diabetes and hypertension medicines. Many also do not have essential diagnostic tools, exposing critical gaps in rural healthcare for managing common non-communicable diseases.
Source: bit.ly/4kjtINm