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 Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has extended the deadline for registered Producers, Importers, Brand Owners (PIBOs) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) for filing annual returns under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 until 31st January 2026. The previous deadline for filing of annual returns was November 30, 2025.
Source: h7.cl/1iapl

2. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a notice clarifying implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines for plastic packaging, permitting regulated inter-category certificate purchases only until FY 2025–26. Producers, importers, and brand owners will then be prohibited from cross-category adjustment of surplus EPR certificates and barred from using end-of-life certificates for recycling targets.
Source: h7.cl/1n9HG

3. The Union Health Minister has directed CDSCO and the Department of Pharmaceuticals to find a workable solution to industry concerns over revised Schedule M GMP norms. The revised guidelines necessitate structural and layout changes to facilities, setting up rigorous quality control systems, and training personnel. The Ministry is considering deadline extensions or relaxations following consultations with industry bodies, particularly for small and medium manufacturers facing compliance issues.
Source: h7.cl/1n9HM

4. The High Court of Allahabad has dismissed petitions by directors and officials of a major drug manufacturer challenging summons for alleged violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act after a test analysis found samples to be of substandard quality. The analysis found the presence of ethylene glycol in cough syrup, a toxic industrial chemical. The Court found the summons lawful, as the officials were responsible for the company’s business conduct.
Source: h7.cl/1n9HR

5. India’s Delhi High Court has upheld the rejection of a foreign drug manufacturer’s patent application for a nematode-based cancer detection method, ruling it a non-patentable diagnostic process under the Patents Act, 1970. The court said the invention performs essential diagnostic steps and cannot bypass exclusion by being labelled as screening or in-vitro testing.
Source: h7.cl/1iar0

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 has cancelled the import registration of a cosmetic product after finding misleading drug-related claims on its website, which were inconsistent with the approved product labels, including claims relating to treatment of medical conditions.
Source: h7.cl/1hoPv

2. CDSCO has issued guidelines and SOPs under the Drugs and Cosmetics (Compounding of Offences) Rules, 2025, detailing eligibility, application process, authorities, and conditions for compounding certain regulatory offences, enabling settlement through monetary penalties and compliance measures instead of prosecution, supporting ease of doing business while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Source: h7.cl/1mlwh

3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has notified that all amendments to food labelling and display regulations will come into force from 1 July of the year of notification. It has also revised the compliance timeline, extending the mandatory transition period for industry from 180 days to 365 days.
Source: h7.cl/1mlvZ

4. The Union Health Ministry is reportedly in discussions with state drug authorities to consider granting a six-month, case-by-case extension for pharmaceutical companies to comply with revised GMP requirements. The updated Schedule M introduces stricter manufacturing quality standards to align India’s drug production framework with global norms.
Source: h7.cl/1mlw4

5. India’s pharma regulator reportedly plans to introduce a dedicated wholesale licensing regime for bulk drugs, APIs and key starting materials. The move, along with a national supplier database, aims to improve traceability of imported materials and strengthen accountability and supply-chain oversight amid rising quality concerns.
Source: h7.cl/1hoPC

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 Supreme Court has in a recent judgement held that corporate social responsibility cannot be limited to philanthropy and must inherently include environmental protection. It emphasized that companies have a constitutional duty to protect ecosystems and prevent environmental degradation, making sustainability and biodiversity conservation integral to CSR obligations.
Source: https://h7.cl/1hniW

2. The Indian medical devices regulator has issued an updated risk classification list for oncology devices, superseding the earlier 2020 notification. The revision introduces new categories such as AI-based diagnostics and advanced ablation and hyperthermia systems, and reclassifies certain devices, thereby impacting regulatory pathways under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017.
Source: https://h7.cl/1mjWw

3. The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has released a new guide on preparing quality manuals and management system documentation for labs seeking NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC standards.
Source: https://h7.cl/1hnlv

4. The Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has invited applications under Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence and Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme, both of which form part of the broader Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry.
Source: https://h7.cl/1mjYL

5. The Ministry of Finance released detailed FAQs on the Health Security se National Security (HSNS) Cess Act and Rules, clarifying registration, cess computation, returns, machine declaration, abatement and compliance procedures effective from 1 Feb 2026. This guidance supports industry readiness for new cess obligations under the Act.
Source: https://h7.cl/1mjXk

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 authority (CDSCO) is considering a separate wholesale licence for bulk drugs and excipients to distinguish them from APIs and finished formulations. The proposal includes capturing details of wholesalers handling NDPS substances and requiring competent persons to be either science graduates with relevant experience or registered pharmacists, strengthening oversight and regulatory compliance.
Source: h7.cl/1fZHk

2. India’s Drugs Consultative Committee addressed non-compliance issues in hospital blood centres and directed states to strengthen oversight. Key actions include regular inspections with focus on viral marker testing, adherence to NBTC licensing procedures for charitable and voluntary centres, and timely licence renewals. States were urged to ensure strict compliance to maintain a safe blood supply.
Source: h7.cl/1fZHk

3. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will release the tenth edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia on January 2, 2026, with standards effective from July 1, 2026. The new edition adds 121 monographs, five general chapters, and expanded harmonization to strengthen drug quality and regulatory alignment in India.
Source: h7.cl/1kRtQ

4. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a penalty on e-commerce platform for allowing the sale of walkie-talkies without mandatory disclosures on regulatory approvals. This suo motu action stemmed from listings that omitted details on spectrum compliance, frequency usage, potentially misleading consumers about the devices’ legality and exposing them to risks.
Source: h7.cl/1kRwR

5. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released a comprehensive guide on ticket creation to help producers navigate the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal for battery and e-waste management. The guide aims to streamline communication between producers and the regulator for all EPR-related queries.
Source: h7.cl/1fZK0

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 extended the enforcement date for the amended labelling requirements under the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations, 2025. The earlier deadline of 1 January 2026 is now postponed to 1 July 2026. The decision follows stakeholder concerns that mid-year labelling changes would disrupt operations, cause wastage of pre-printed labels, and create additional costs, especially due to State Excise label-registration cycles.
Source: h7.cl/1kc0S

2. India is reportedly negotiating mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with major partners such as the US, EU, UK, Singapore and ASEAN to align inspection and testing systems. The aim is to cut rejections, ease trade friction and streamline exports of basmati rice, spices, tea, coffee, marine products, fruits and vegetables, improving global competitiveness.
Source: h7.cl/1flqZ

3. India’s central food authority (FSSAI) has issued amendments to the FSS (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018 wherein the permissible maximum level of ethyl acetate esters in alcoholic beverages has been increase from “0.2” g/l to “3.0” g/l.
Source: h7.cl/1kc16

4. India’s Drugs Consultative Committee has agreed to add levonorgestrel tablets in 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg widely known as morning-after pills to Schedule K, enabling continued OTC sales. This also includes provisions for a boxed warning on packaging highlighting side effects, no protection against HIV/STIs, limits on use, and recommendations for consulting practitioners on alternatives.
Source: h7.cl/1kbV8

5. The Supreme Court of India has reportedly directed Noida District Hospital to constitute a primary medical board within two weeks to assess passive euthanasia for a 31-year-old man who has been quadriplegic and in a vegetative state for more than a decade.
Source: h7.cl/1flra

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 Pollution Control Board mandates real-time photographic monitoring of pharmaceutical effluent emissions, requiring automatic uploads to central portals. Non-compliance may trigger instant penalties and plant shutdowns forcing pharma CEOs and founders to implement on-site imaging systems immediately or risk regulatory sanctions.
Source: short-url.org/1beOU

2. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has inaugurated the 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week (17–23 Sept 2025) themed “Your Safety, Just a Click Away: Report to PvPI”. The initiative aims to encourage broader participation in adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting by healthcare professionals and patients to strengthen pharmacovigilance.
Source: short-url.org/1beP1

3. Telangana’s health department has sealed 115 pharmacies attached to corporate hospitals after discovering critical breaches such as no registered pharmacists on duty, absence of purchase-sale records, stocking expired drugs, and improper storage of thermolabile medicines. Authorities have issued notices to hospital managements and warned of strict legal action under pharmacy and drug laws.
Source: short-url.org/1fSXe

4. US President reportedly advised pregnant women to avoid paracetamol (Tylenol), citing suspected links to autism. The U.S. FDA has begun label-revision to reflect “possible association,” though causation isn’t proven. However, the WHO, EU regulators, and medical experts emphatically refute the claim, stating evidence remains inconsistent and insufficient to establish causality.
Source: short-url.org/1bePe

5. U.S. officials are reportedly exploring the launch of a branded web portal potentially called “TrumpRx” that enables consumers to search for prescription medicines and purchase them at discounted prices directly from manufacturers.
Source: short-url.org/1fSUh

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 classified packaged drinking water as a high-risk category, mandating pre-licence inspections of packaging facilities and annual risk-based audits for existing licence holders. This move aims to ensure hygiene and quality standards, aligning bottled water regulation with stricter public health norms.
Source: short-link.me/17nQx

2. Big private hospitals in India are opposing the General Insurance Council’s common empanelment proposal, arguing it lacks clarity on tariffs, timely claim settlements, and dispute resolution for short payments. They demand wider consultation and revisions before acceptance, stressing the framework must address operational challenges while ensuring insurers’ goal of streamlined empanelment and policyholder access.
Source: short-link.me/1bQ13

3. The GST Group of Ministers (GoM) has reportedly proposed eliminating the current 18% GST on individual life and health insurance premiums. The constituted panel will present recommendations by October 2025 and the final will be taken by GST Council.
Source: short-link.me/17nQT

4. The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India is reportedly collaborating with stakeholders to launch an online logistics platform to integrate exporters, importers, service providers, and regulators. The tool aims to centralise compliance, bidding, warehousing, insurance, routing, digital documentation, tracking and feedback.
Source: short-link.me/1bQ1l

5. India’s central drug regulator has recently mandated that exported drugs must retain at least 60% of their shelf life, prompting pharmaceutical companies to discard older inventory and incur significant financial losses. Industry stakeholders caution that the rule introduces substantial economic and logistical strain without offering adequate flexibility.
Source: short-link.me/1bQ1u

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 Medical Commission has directed all medical colleges to form and register adverse event monitoring committee chaired by the medical superintendent under the Materiovigilance Programme with Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission to monitor, assess and prevent adverse events from medical devices by July 31, 2025.
Source: bit.ly/3TI4mxc

2. The Maharashtra government paused its decision to let homeopaths prescribe modern medicine, forming a 7-member committee to review the issue within two months. The move comes amid strong opposition from medical associations concerned about public safety and standards. The matter remains pending in Bombay High Court.
Source: bit.ly/4lYxuMI

3. India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Environment (Protection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2025, introducing revised emission norms for thermal power plants. Based on plant categorization, sulphur dioxide emission standards have been prescribed, along with timelines and penalties for non-compliance, including environmental compensation.
Source: bit.ly/40iWJRx

4. The District Consumer Commission in Ernakulam, Kerala, found a fertility clinic guilty of unfair trade practices and service deficiency for giving misleading assurances about IVF success rates. The Commission awarded ₹2.66 lakh in compensation the couple, emphasizing that such conduct is a breach of duty owed to consumers, violating their right to truthful information and fair services.
Source: bit.ly/4lzmghO

5. The recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill” introduces stricter Medicaid work and eligibility verification from 2027, in addition to funding cuts that may force insurers to exit low-margin markets. The Congressional Budget Office warns this could leave 7.8 million Americans uninsured by 2034, while driving up premiums and administrative burdens.
Source: bit.ly/4ls9HEN

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 has restrained pharma company from using the trademark “Liv 333” for their liver-care product, finding it deceptively similar to established registered trademark “Liv.52” from 1957. The court noted that merely adding numerals doesn’t eliminate consumer confusion.
Source: bit.ly/44lGKV5

2. In the dispute over Geographical Indication between Chile and Peru over the alcoholic beverage “Pisco”, the Delhi High Court ruled that both nations have legitimate claims and no exclusive rights can be claimed, therefore, in order to prevent consumer confusion, each must use geographic labels, “Peruvian PISCO” and “Chilean PISCO”.
Source: bit.ly/4nJfqYI

3. India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has warned e-commerce platforms to strictly comply with food safety norms or face action. Key mandates include displaying FSSAI licenses, revealing warehouse details on FoSCoS, training food handlers via FoSTaC, uploading hygiene photos, and showing expiry dates online.
Source: bit.ly/3TsiWsz

4. During a consultation with NITI Aayog, MSME pharma associations sought regulatory and financial support for compliance with revised GMP norms, requesting deadline extensions and infrastructure aid, while the DCGI emphasized strict enforcement and responsibility for upholding quality standards.
Source: bit.ly/40GWTSJ

5. The Indian pharmaceutical sector faces legal and regulatory concerns due to high humidity altering the colour, smell, and taste of medicines, risking non-compliance with quality standards. Experts recommend compressed air dryers to ensure pharmaceutical products meet statutory purity and safety requirements.
Source: bit.ly/4nCEH6v

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 Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will now manage doctor registrations in Delhi, following the dissolution of the Delhi Medical Council due to administrative irregularities. This move aims to centralize oversight and restore transparency in medical practitioner regulation.
Source: bit.ly/45sY77v

2. India’s Enforcement Directorate has launched investigations into four pharmaceutical companies based out of state of Uttar Pradesh on suspicion of diverting tramadol. These firms are alleged to have supplied the controlled painkiller for unauthorized distribution, intensifying efforts to curb drug misuse.
Source: bit.ly/443Z5EJ

3. Australia’s health regulator has issued over A$600,000 in fines across multiple medicinal cannabis companies for unlawful advertising, including unapproved health claims. The crackdown highlights strict compliance requirements for prescription-only medicines.
Source: bit.ly/3GazC4x

4. To prioritize domestic supply and reduce China dependence, India has instructed state miner IREL to halt rare earth magnet exports. The move supports local EV and tech industries amidst global magnet shortages.
Source: bit.ly/40erxT8

5. Maharashtra state government reinstates a ₹600 cap on ELISA test for dengue and chikangunya specifically in Pune city amid rising cases and has issued fresh directives to all hospitals and laboratories.
Source: bit.ly/3TxKCvW