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 Delhi High Court granted interim relief to Pharmaceutical company by restraining other pharmaceutical company from using “ALKAKIND” or similar marks. The Court held that the “KIND” suffix has acquired distinctiveness through extensive use, creating a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and reinforcing trademark protection for established pharma brands.
Source: shortlink.uk/1n47Q

2. The Government of India has issued the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026, making BIS certification mandatory for 90 categories of electrical appliances. It will come into force on 1 October 2026, with phased timelines for MSMEs. Non-compliance will attract penalties under the BIS Act, 2016.
Source: shortlink.uk/1n48h

3. Indian pharma manufacturers have reportedly urged the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority of India to approve up to a 50% price increase for platinum-based chemotherapy drugs such as carboplatin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin, after platinum prices nearly doubled from ₹3,869 to ₹8,000 per gram in six months, making production financially unviable and risking supply disruptions.
Source: shortlink.uk/1n48q

4. The Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has proposed extending PSUR timelines under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 for modified or sustained release drugs, novel drug delivery systems, and advanced biologics across their lifecycle, with annual and triennial reporting beyond four years. Currently, PSURs are submitted semi-annually for two years and annually thereafter.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sisG

5. India’s affordable generic medicines under the Jan Aushadhi scheme may see price increases as shipping disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict have raised raw material costs and constrained supply. The supply crunch is affecting local manufacturing, with smaller pharma units facing margin pressure, potentially impacting availability of low-cost medicines across Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Source: shortlink.uk/1n48A

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

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 recently amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, mandating all e-commerce entities selling imported products to display country-of-origin details through searchable and sortable filters. The amendment, will take effect from July 1, 2026 to ensure transparency.
Source: short-url.org/1p5FU

2. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has imposed a penalty on an e-commerce platform for listing a toy for sale that failed to meet mandatory quality control order for toys and Bureau of Indian Standards requirements. The Authority held the platform liable for unfair trade practices and directed strict compliance and improved consumer grievance disclosures.
Source: short-url.org/1k0GC

3. The Supreme Court of India has expressed dissatisfaction with FSSAI’s affidavit and urged it to seriously consider introducing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats, citing global norms and public-health concerns. The bench has asked FSSAI to report back within weeks, signalling heightened regulatory scrutiny on nutritional transparency.
Source: short-url.org/1k0CS

4. The Indian government is reportedly set to introduce stringent blood centre regulations to curb ‘professional donor’ rackets and unsafe practices by restricting licences to registered voluntary/charitable organisations, barring family-run entities, and mandating ethical, operational and social accountability standards. The overhaul prioritises voluntary donations, audited infrastructure, and rigorous screening to reduce transfusion infection risks and enhance public health outcomes.
Source: short-url.org/1k0GD

5. The Indian government has granted a transitional exemption under the Electrical Appliances (Skin or Hair Care) Quality Control Order, 2023. The exemption applies to goods ordered before 6 March 2025 and the Bill of the Landing and the Bill of Entry are dated on or before 180 days from the QCO came into force. The importers will be exempted from the requirement provided they submit specified import documents to BIS within seven days of clearance.
Source: short-url.org/1p5FD

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 Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed all State and UT Drug Controllers to regularly sample kumkum and colour powders at religious sites for testing for synthetic ingredients due to public health concerns. Kumkum is regulated as a cosmetic in Indian law and must meet BIS standards covering heavy metal limits, microbial safety, prescribed testing methods, and mandatory packaging and labelling requirements.
Source: h7.cl/1nnwz

2. India’s Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968. The farmer-centric bill proposes stronger regulation of spurious pesticides, higher penalties, digital processes, mandatory lab accreditation, and promotion of biopesticides and indigenous manufacturing. Stakeholders can submit comments in the prescribed format by 4 February 2026.
Source: h7.cl/1inPA

3. The Tea Board of India has issued revised guidelines for registration of manufacturers of flavoured tea, reaffirming that every factory manufacturing flavoured tea must be registered as a bonafide manufacturer with the Tea Board. This makes the registration process for flavoured tea manufacturers clearer and more structured.
Source: h7.cl/1nnx8

4. The European Parliament has approved measures to strengthen EU supply of essential medicines by reducing dependence on non-EU countries. The proposals support domestic manufacturing through strategic projects, priority funding, EU-favoured procurement, joint purchasing, and coordinated stockpiles to prevent shortages of critical medicines such as antibiotics, insulin and vaccines.
Source: h7.cl/1nnwI

5. India’s Central Drug regulator has given approval to manufacture and sell a generic version of Ozempic (semaglutide) for diabetes, ahead of its patent expiry in March 2026. The company plans to launch 12 million injectable pens in the first year and partner locally for distribution. The company is also awaiting similar approval for the obesity drug Wegovy.
Source: h7.cl/1nnwM

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 Department of Pharmaceuticals has invited proposals under the CFMDC scheme to strengthen shared testing infrastructure for medical devices, including cardiac and orthopaedic implants, infusion pumps, endoscopic systems, imaging equipment such as X-ray and MRI, and Class B, C, and D IVDs. The initiative aims to improve access to common testing facilities in India.
Source: h7.cl/1hMz2

2. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has issued a public notice proposing the inclusion of 11 additional pharmaceutical formulations, including patented biologics and proprietary insulin products, under the Global Tender Enquiry (GTE) exemption list for FY 2025–26. Domestic manufacturers have been invited to submit objections by January 19, 2026, in the attached form.
Source: h7.cl/1hMz7

3. The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Union Ministries of Law, Health and AYUSH on a PIL seeking to declare AYUSH practitioners as Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP) under the Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. An RMP is allowed to display a signboard or notice on their clinic premises indicating that they provide treatment for diseases listed in the Act, which others are prohibited from advertising.
Source: h7.cl/1hMz8

4. Delhi High Court held that in patent disputes involving life-saving drugs, courts must prioritise public interest. Injunctions should not block patient access unless infringement is clearly established through product-to-claim mapping. Where issues are technical and triable, alternative safeguards can protect patentees without withdrawing essential therapies during litigation.
Source: h7.cl/1mK20

5. Indian importers of aluminium beverage cans are reportedly requesting the government to extend the deadline for BIS certification and marking requirements. This follows shortages caused by rising demand and delays in BIS approvals. The quality control order was issued in April 2025, beverage companies have increased imports from West Asia and Sri Lanka to prevent supply disruptions.
Source: h7.cl/1hMzd

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 Kerala High Court ruled that brand ambassadors are not liable for unfair trade practices or deficient services under the Consumer Protection Act unless a direct transactional link with consumers is proven. Endorsers face penalties only for misleading advertisements, and are protected where due diligence to verify claims is demonstrated by law.
Source: h7.cl/1hJqC

2. State Drugs Regulator of Telangana has recently issued a stop-use advisory for a children’s syrup prescribed for allergies, hay fever, and asthma, after a CDSCO lab detected toxic ethylene glycol contamination. The public was advised to stop use immediately, report possession, and authorities ordered freezing of affected stocks to avert health risks.
Source: h7.cl/1mGN8

3. A Parliamentary Standing Committee has urged the Ministry of AYUSH to integrate allopathy and traditional medicine, recommending AYUSH departments in all AIIMS, stronger collaboration with the Health Ministry, and time-bound action to create a pluralistic, integrated healthcare system nationwide.
Source: h7.cl/1mGNc

4. The Bureau of Indian Standards has notified amendments to 22 Indian Standards covering dairy products, infant foods, milk substitutes, and special medical nutrition. Amendments were established from 15 December 2025, and existing standards will remain in force till 14 June 2026, giving business operators a defined transition period for compliance.
Source: h7.cl/1hJqz

5. The US Food and Drug Administration has relaxed the oversight of general wellness devices, clarifying that low-risk products such as fitness trackers and wellness apps will not be actively regulated as medical devices if they avoid disease-related claims. The move aims to reduce regulatory burden and encourage innovation in consumer and digital health technologies.
Source: h7.cl/1hJqP
Source: h7.cl/1hJqT

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 Health Ministry has amended the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, permitting bioavailability or bioequivalence (BA/BE) studies in human subjects for export purposes for certain drugs approved in India or any one of the regulated markets (USA, EU, Japan, Australia, Canada, UK) through submission of an online application as notification and its acknowledgement by the Central Licensing Authority, subject to certain conditions. The conditions are mainly ethics committee approval, record-keeping, and minimum sample size.
Source: urli.info/1iRyM

2. India’s Health Ministry has issued the draft amendments to Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945. Liquid antiseptics are now categorized separately for household and hospital use, with distinct labelling and licensing conditions to ensure proper manufacturing, packaging, and sale compliance by licensed manufacturers and wholesalers.
Source: urli.info/1e4F-

3. Indian Food Authority (FSSAI) has issued an advisory to all Designated Officers, Food Safety Officers, and Enforcement Teams to ensure proper disposal of seized, rejected, and expired food, including packaging, through approved methods like incineration, sanitary landfilling, or composting. Disposals must be supervised, video-recorded, and certified by authorised food safety officials.
Source: urli.info/1iRz4

4. Indian medical devices regulator (CDSCO) has issued an updated list of about 1,700 Indian Standards (IS) under the BIS Medical Equipment and Hospital Planning (MHD) division, covering around 20 categories including surgical, diagnostic, orthopaedic, dental, and hospital-planning equipment. All medical devices manufactured, imported, and marketed in India must mandatorily conform to BIS standards for regulatory and quality compliance.
Source: urli.info/1iRz9

5. India’s Health Ministry has proposed amending Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which contains a category of medicines that are mandated to carry a barcode or QR code on their label, to expand it with a new “Table 2” listing key therapeutic categories vaccines, antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and anticancer drugs. Stakeholders can submit comments within 30 days.
Source: urli.info/1iRzg

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 Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), traditionally responsible for preparing standards for medicines, is now reportedly expanding its role to prepare standards for medical devices in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It has also begun auditing medical device companies and is developing monographs which will outline standards and specifications for medical equipment. This initiative aims to enhance India’s credibility in medical device manufacturing and support export growth.
Source: short-url.org/1c9pE

2. The Telangana High Court set aside a blanket injunction order in a trade secret dispute, holding that confidential information and trade secrets must be clearly identified and proven. It ruled that the trial court erred by granting a blanket restraint and directed a fresh hearing in accordance with law.
Source: short-url.org/1gQnE

3. The Indian government has amended the export policy for rice (both Basmati and non-Basmati) to non-EU European countries, removing the requirement for Export Inspection Council (EIC) certification until April 2, 2026. The EIC certification will, however, remain mandatory for exports to the EU, the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Source: short-url.org/1gQlT

4. The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) has asked pharma exporters to submit cases of delayed or non-payment by overseas buyers to help frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This SOP aims to streamline the process of addressing payment-related grievances and Pharmexcil’s timely intervention.
Source: short-url.org/1c9p-

5. Tamil Nadu Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is investigating the license of a local cough syrup manufacturer following child deaths in Madhya Pradesh linked to contaminated cough syrup produced by the company. The scrutiny in Tamil Nadu began after a formal request from the Madhya Pradesh Drugs Control Authority and the state drug regulator. In response to these incidents, India’s Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory urging the rational use of pediatric cough syrups banning them for children under two years, advising caution for older children, and promoting rest and hydration as preferred treatments.
Source: short-url.org/1gQng
Source: short-url.org/1c9qC

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 NPPA’s Multidisciplinary Committee, in its recent meeting has reportedly decided to co-opt experts from AIIMS, MAMC, SIC Safdarjung and NIPER to evaluate industry requests for a distinct ceiling price on cementless knee implants. Under Drugs Price Control Order, 2013, manufacturers may petition for separate pricing if their product shows innovation or superiority over existing variants.
Source: bit.ly/3HQpizr

2. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced two important standards, IS/IEC 63203-201-1:2022 which outlines the standards for measurement methods for basic properties of conductive yarns used in wearable electronic textiles and, IS 19173 (Part 1):2025 which is aligned with IEC/TR 80002-1:2009, offers guidance on applying ISO 14971 to medical device software, strengthening risk management practices.
Source: bit.ly/4ejatBw

3. The National Human Rights Commission has reportedly directed AIIMS Delhi to submit a report within 15 days following allegations that neuroradiology doctors bypassed institutional procurement norms, referring patients to buy flow-diverter brain implants from a private vendor. The complaint highlights significant cost burden and potential human rights violations.
Source: bit.ly/4kY4PqY

4. The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), New Delhi Bench, ruled that packing or repacking parts of Vibratory Compactors and Wheeled Tractor Loader Backhoes does not constitute “manufacture” under Central Excise Act, so no excise duty is payable.
Source: bit.ly/4eispvP

5. The Sikkim High Court has ordered the State Government to conduct the periodic inspections of all industries including pharmaceutical companies to verify that no effluents are being discharged into rivers. The court also noted groundwater extraction and urged timely completion of the Sikkim Springs & Groundwater Regulation Bill, 2025.
Source: bit.ly/4k5z1yW