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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.

Criminal prosecution for drug related offences can start only on the basis of a drug inspector’s complaint: Supreme Court
India’s Supreme Court has confirmed that only a drug inspector, and not the police, is authorized to file a First Information Report (FIR) or a complaint for offence related to drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Source: bit.ly/3PGkEVL

Drug prices may increase slightly due to increase in Wholesale Price Index
India’s drug price regulator, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority of India, has communicated to the pharmaceutical industry that annual change in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in 2023 compared to 2022 was (+)0.00551%. Accordingly, manufacturers of drugs whose price are capped may increase their price by (+)0.00551% in the month of April without government approval.
Source: bit.ly/3xgzbRC

Drug labels may have to mention excipients which cause hypersensitivity soon
India’s top drug policy advisory body, the Drugs Advisory Board (DTAB), has directed India’s Central Drug Regulator, The Central Drugs Standards Control Organization, to prepare a list of excipients that cause hypersensitivity, with the intent that such excipients should be disclosed label of medicine. Other excipients will not have to be mentioned on the labels of medicine. Currently, the law does not require manufacturers to include to disclose information about excipients on the label of drugs.
Source: bit.ly/43E3M7D
Source: bit.ly/3vv1j2N

India low on Biopharma Innovation: Leading Industry Analyst
A leading industry analyst firm has written an open letter to Prime Minister of India that India seems to be ceding ground to its Asian peers in biopharma innovation and manufacturing. The firm has highlighted that India needs to encourage investment in biopharma manufacturing capacity, increase public health expenditure, and extend insurance coverage for the novel drugs, in order to promote innovation in biopharma space.
Source: bit.ly/3PHcD2N

High time to implement essential diagnostic guidelines to standardize diagnostic practices: Expert
Healthcare industry expert in India has emphasized the urgent need for the implementation of national essential diagnostic guidelines to standardize practices, improve patient care, streamline diagnostic processes, guide clinical decision-making, optimize resource utilization, and reduce healthcare disparities across India. In 2019, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had issued the National Essential Diagnostic List (NEDL) to ensure consistency and quality in diagnostic procedures.
Source: bit.ly/3vyESd5

Posted on

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.

Drug manufacturing facility cannot manufacture food products: Central Drugs Regulator
India’s Central Drug Regulator, The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), has directed the state drug licensing authorities to take action against the drug manufacturers who are also manufacturing nutraceuticals and health supplements in the same facility. Under Indian law, a drug manufacturing facility cannot be used to manufacture food products. Nutraceuticals and health supplements are regulated as food products in India.
Source: bit.ly/4bUWpwg

Methodology to calculate Green Credit against Tree Plantations notified
India’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Forest Change, has notified the methodology for calculating green credit in respect of tree plantation under Green Credit Rules, 2023 which were notified under The Environment Protection Act, 1986. A person desirous of purchasing green credits will have to make an application to the Administrator. 1 tree planted will be equal to 1 green credit.
Source: bit.ly/3wGJgqo

A person cannot be prosecuted for food related offence under Food Safety Law and Indian Penal Code simultaneously: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India has held that, since The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA) has effect notwithstanding any other law, a food related offence will have to be pursued under FSSA and not under a general law such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC).
Source: bit.ly/48whOZJ

Period Safety Update Reports (PSURs) of new drugs will have to be submitted online, physical submissions will not be accepted
The Indian Central Drug Regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), will accept PSURs of new drugs, subsequent new drugs (SND), fixed dose combinations (FDC), biologicals and veterinary drugs only through online medium from 11th March 2024. A PSUR is required to be submitted for a period of four years after receipt of marketing permission.
Source: bit.ly/3wDqZKE

Indian Government is incentivizing domestic drug manufacturers to develop cost effective treatment for rare health conditions
India’s medical research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has reportedly invited domestic drug companies to develop localized treatments for “priority rare genetic disorders” and has offered assistance in pre-clinical, clinical research and regulatory approvals. The aim for this initiative is to encourage domestic drug companies to develop cost-effective treatments for rare health conditions by offering assistance in clinical research.
Source: bit.ly/4bQQ3y4