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 (NMC) has reportedly not initiated any action against 30 doctors involved in a pharma freebies case. An RTI response reveals that the Department of Pharmaceuticals has not directed action, despite earlier findings of violations by the pharmaceutical company sponsoring lavish trips.
Source: bit.ly/44xs6e4

2. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has announced changes to certain monograph titles and synonyms in the upcoming Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 which is effective from July 2026. Manufacturers have been advised to assess the impact on existing products and start taking necessary steps to update the label.
Source: bit.ly/4dtuq8p

3. India’s Ministry of Health has reportedly raised concerns that only a small fraction of small and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies have applied to the government for an extension of the timeline to comply with the Revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) under Schedule M and to submit their facility upgradation plans. With the 12th May 2025 deadline approaching, state health secretaries have been asked to coordinate with local manufacturers and ensure timely compliance.
Source: bit.ly/4ka44u3

4. The Government of Odisha has reportedly announced plans to draft a state-wide mental health policy, including early intervention frameworks and counselling centres, to address rising mental health issues particularly among vulnerable groups such as youth and the elderly
Source: bit.ly/44peMIy

5. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has officially recognized suicidal thoughts as a potential side effect of a medication commonly used to treat male pattern baldness. While the EMA maintains that the benefits of the drug continue to outweigh the risks, it has mandated that all 1 mg packages include a patient card highlighting these risks.
Source: bit.ly/3SgZLBr

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 declined to grant an interim injunction against four influencers who criticized a popular protein brand’s product in YouTube videos. The Court ruled that their comments, based on lab reports, constituted fair comment in public interest and not defamation.
Source: bit.ly/3GxgRIw

2. The Supreme Court of India has ruled that the limitation period for filing appeals under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, begins from the date the judgment is pronounced, not when the party receives the judgment copy. The Court held that delay in seeking a certified copy doesn’t justify condoning limitation period.
Source: bit.ly/432T5fc

3. An Indian District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ruled against an insurance company for unfair trade practices after it denied a valid accident claim. The complainant signed the discharge voucher but added the words “with protest” to express his disagreement, which led to its denial.
Source: bit.ly/4jtaZi1

4. India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has reportedly requested export data from Pharmexcil, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, amid ongoing trade restrictions with Pakistan. The move is aimed at assessing the flow of pharmaceutical products between the two countries.
Source: bit.ly/42Osz96

5. Swissmedic has invited feedback on the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Guideline M13B, which aims to harmonize bioequivalence study designs and data analysis methods for immediate-release solid oral dosage forms like tablets, capsules, and granules/powders for oral suspension. Stakeholders may submit feedback until July 9, 2025.
Source: bit.ly/44bvFq2

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 notified the Drugs and Cosmetics (Compounding of Offences) Rules, 2025, enabling compounding of minor offences related to the manufacture, import, sale, or distribution of drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. The move aims to simplify compliance and reduce the burden on the judiciary.
Source: bit.ly/3YVqxTl

2. India’s Central Drug Regulator has exempted orphan drugs from mandatory port testing. Importers must submit a legal undertaking to provide test results within 15 days of receipt from labs. This decision aims to address challenges like small volumes, high costs, and lack of specialized testing infrastructure.
Source: bit.ly/3S8NM8K

3. The Orissa High Court has held that doctors cannot be criminally liable for prescribing an expensive drug unless it is hazardous, sub-standard, or restricted. The Court also stated that government cannot compel patients to use cheaper, less effective drugs, especially if they are paying for treatment themselves.
Source: bit.ly/4jR6Eoq

4. The Supreme Court of India will examine whether excluding divorced and single men from availing surrogacy violates constitutional rights. A divorced man has challenged this exclusion, arguing it discriminates based on gender and marital status, infringing on fundamental rights.
Source: bit.ly/4jLJtMm

5. The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) have reportedly filed a chargesheet against six individuals involved in a ₹550 crore medical procurement scam. The accused inflated prices for medical supplies and used to procure medical supplies without verifying the actual requirements of health centers, causing major losses to the state exchequer.
Source: bit.ly/4iHo5XR

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 Drugs Technical Advisory Board is reportedly reviewing a proposal to limit the sale of over-the-counter drugs. Only 27 essential medicines, including painkillers, antacids, and oral contraceptives, may be allowed without a prescription, with strict controls on dosage and pack size.
Source: bit.ly/4jqjkD0

2. Delhi High Court has upheld the Government’s move to restrict the sale of an anti-cold drug without warning labels against use in children below 4 years after April 15, 2025. For earlier batches, companies must publish notices in two national newspapers, which won’t count as advertisements or violations of license conditions.
Source: bit.ly/3SaUOK0

3. India’s drug regulator has reportedly approved eye drops aimed at controlling myopia progression in children. This pediatric formulation, the first of its kind to be approved in India, has successfully completed Phase III trials and will be available as a prescription drug.
Source: bit.ly/444JxCp

4. A group of doctors with disabilities has urged the World Health Organisation to include sunscreen in its Essential Medicines List, citing its importance for people with albinism who are highly susceptible to UV radiation. They argued that sunscreen is a vital medical need and not a cosmetic.
Source: bit.ly/44KmxJ9

5. The U.S. FDA reportedly plans to phase out several synthetic food dyes linked to health concerns like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. Two dyes will be banned soon, with six more to be removed by 2026, and new natural color additives will be approved.
Source: bit.ly/3EFTFXQ

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 plans to discontinue the doorstep delivery of certain medicines that were permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent misuse by online platforms currently offering doorstep medicine delivery services. The earlier provision allowed licensed retailers of Drugs to deliver medicines on the doorstep based on original prescriptions during the pandemic.
Source: bit.ly/4izvgkG

2. India’s Health Ministry is considering a proposal to include the name of the person responsible (authorised person) for batch release in all drug manufacturing licenses. This aims to enhance accountability, as batch release ensures the safety and quality of medicines.
Source: bit.ly/4izvgkG

3. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has recently raided a facility supplying sanitary pads without the mandatory ISI mark and seized around 30,000 pads in Hyderabad. As per the Quality Control Order, BIS certification for sanitary pads is compulsory, and violations are strictly punishable.
Source: bit.ly/3S2bIdM

4. The Indian Council of Medical Research has recommended banning the drug ‘Nimesulide’ for individuals under 18 and above 60, and in all formulations above 100 mg due to risks of liver damage and gastrointestinal issues. ICMR also advises a black box warning on labels and cautions against use in women trying to conceive.
Source: bit.ly/42pwQ3Q
Source: bit.ly/4izvgkG

5. Indian government has defined ‘proof of origin’ for trade to enhance ease of doing business and prevent misuse of trade pacts. Importers must submit a certificate of origin to claim duty concessions under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The move aims to simplify procedures and ensure transparency.
Source: bit.ly/42rED11

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 Pharmaceutical Association has reportedly urged the Drug Controller General of India to clarify the notification restricting anti-cold drug combinations for children under four. Guidance on handling of existing stocks and if pharmacies can dispense these drugs without the warning on label.
Source: bit.ly/3Gmnq0o

2. Several electronics companies have approached the Delhi High Court challenging the decision of Government to fix a floor price payable to E-waste recyclers. They argue that the mandatory payments are excessively high and will significantly increase business costs. Companies contend that the Government should let market forces determine the prices.
Source: bit.ly/3GlYTZt

3. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration is seeking public feedback on a proposal to expand access of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to terminally ill patients for existential distress, currently it is approved for treatment-resistant depression.
Source: bit.ly/42mBmA7

4. India’s drug technical advisory board is reviewing a proposal to waive the loan license requirement for medical device sterilization. If approved, manufacturers with valid licenses (Form MD-3/4 or MD-9/10) could use licensed sterilization facilities (Form MD-3 or MD-9) without separate approval.
Source: bit.ly/4cHcirb

5. The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change has proposed draft rules under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023, setting greenhouse gas emission intensity targets for industries. Public feedback is invited within 60 days. Suggestions can be sent to the Ministry via email.
Source: bit.ly/42IUtU3

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 Madras High Court has imposed a ban on the manufacture, sale, transport, and use of 28 types of single-use plastic items across the areas like the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, and the Agathiyar Biosphere. Banned items include plastic bottles, food wrapping films, thermocol plates and cups, plastic-coated tableware, straws, carry bags, etc.
Source: bit.ly/3RmpHuX

2. Indian food regulator FSSAI, in response to an RTI, has stated that it lacks authority to regulate baby milk products under the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, which regulates baby food marketing, placing enforcement responsibility on the Women and Child Development Ministry.
Source: bit.ly/4lDCPts

3. India’s Health Ministry has released a notification restricting the manufacture and sale of a popular anti cold drug until there is a warning on labels stating they should not be used in children below four years. The notification will take effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Source: bit.ly/3Y54v08

4. Private hospitals in Nagaland have reportedly suspended admitting patients under Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme from April 17, 2025, due to unpaid dues. The Nagaland Private Doctors Association urged authorities to resolve the issue so services can resume without further delay.
Source: bit.ly/4cAsslY

5. The UK Government has enacted significant reforms to clinical trials regulation. Effective from April 11, 2025, with full implementation by April 2026, the new rules aim to streamline trial approvals, enhance patient safety, enable innovation, and help more people benefit from participating in vital research.
Source: bit.ly/4jDT5ZC

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. Several global pharmaceutical companies have approached the European Commission demanding assistance in maintaining operations in the EU and to help Europe keep the pharma industry including measures to compensate them for the cost of pharmaceutical innovations. This move comes in the face of threatened U.S. tariffs on imports.
Source: bit.ly/3RgXrK6

2. A pharma giant has allegedly breached the UK’s Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) for its cancer drug’s misleading prescribing information, which failed to clearly state that women using hormonal contraceptives needed to take additional measures to prevent pregnancy while on the drug.
Source: bit.ly/4lzu3MO

3. India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has invited expression of interest for selecting an agency to conduct a comprehensive study of India’s pharmaceutical and medical device supply chains, in order to identify regulatory hurdle.
Source: bit.ly/42zIx6O

4. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has directed States and Union Territories to urgently stop the manufacture, sale, and distribution of 35 unapproved Fixed Dose Combinations licensed without safety and efficacy evaluation under New Drug and Clinical Trials rules, 2019. Authorities must investigate, take action, and report compliance to ensure public health and regulatory consistency.
Source: bit.ly/4cw43hg

5. China has amended its GB 9685 standard for additives in food contact materials. The changes include expanded use in silicone rubber, revised usage limits, updated additive names, and new safety calculations. These updates, effective March 2025, aim to improve consumer safety and industry compliance.
Source: bit.ly/4cGqBfE

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 Supreme Court of India has given Central government three months to enforce new food labelling rules which require Front-of-Pack-Warning Labels (FoPWL) for Packaged foods containing high level of sugar, salt, and saturated fat content, along with their recommended daily intake (RDA), in bold and prominent font on the front of packaging.
Source: bit.ly/3Eigy3s

2. Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration has reportedly found fake QR codes on a top pharma brand’s medicine. Over 900 strips were seized in this counterfeit drug racket. A full-scale investigation, raids, forensic checks, and officer training are underway to trace sources and stop illegal supply chains.
Source: bit.ly/4lsuJna

3. A survey across 303 Indian districts reportedly reveals that most side effects among medicines are caused by antibiotics. One in two people reported side effects from allopathy or AYUSH medicines. Experts warn that misuse of antibiotics without prescriptions is rising antimicrobial resistance, posing serious public health concerns
Source: bit.ly/3YsVr5f

4. India’s Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has launched India’s first mobile app for licensing allopathic, cosmetic, and Ayurvedic products, issuing over 900 licenses online. The FDCA-mDMLA mobile app boosts efficiency, transparency, and ease of doing business allowing real-time access and digital services.
Source: bit.ly/4i9yvz6

5. China has reportedly approved an amendment to General Requirements for Labels and Instructions of Disinfection Products, which mandates clearer warnings, font size requirements, and restrictions on misleading branding to enhance safety, transparency, and compliance in the disinfection product industry. The amendment is effective from May 1, 2025.
Source: bit.ly/3Ehsx1f

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 CDSCO has upgraded its online system to automatically generate the Market Standing Certificate (MSC), Non-Conviction Certificate (NCC) and Neutral Code for medical devices. Consequently, manufacturers and importers must reapply for these certificates, as all previously issued ones will become non-functional from April 9, 2025.
Source: bit.ly/4j7NJWL
Source: bit.ly/4j7NMBV 

2. India’s Supreme Court has introduced new guidelines for interpreting deeds and contracts. The guidelines emphasize using the literal rule, where words are given their plain meaning unless absurdity arises. If necessary, the golden rule may be applied and a shift to purposive interpretation based on the document’s context and objectives, ensuring clarity in legal agreements.
Source: bit.ly/3Rc0TWh

3. The Bombay High Court issued an ex-parte ad-interim order against unidentified individuals selling counterfeit and illegally imported oral care products, restraining them from manufacturing, packaging, or distributing lookalike goods infringing trademark and copyright. A Court Receiver was appointed to oversee the identification and inventory of the infringing goods.
Source: bit.ly/3G5i9u0

4. The Supreme Court of India will hear petitions challenging the ₹50 lakh cap on government aid for rare disease treatments, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), following a High Court order. The SMA drug is cheaper in China and Pakistan due to negotiations with the manufacturer. The SC suggested the Centre explore similar negotiations and consider flexibility in approving aid beyond the ₹50 lakh cap on a case-by-case basis.
Source: bit.ly/4lqJ2ss

5. The Government of Kerala has reportedly introduced digital payment systems in government hospitals to streamline service fee transactions, allowing patients to pay using UPI, debit, or credit cards. In addition, they have also introduced an online outpatient (OP) ticket, M-health app, and scan and book system.
Source: bit.ly/4crteSd