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 penalised an online pharmacy for automatically renewing customers’ three-month subscriptions without explicit consent and termed its as an unfair trade practice. CCPA has held that “auto-add” feature amounted to a dark-pattern by pre-selecting paid options.
Source: h7.cl/1jXQH

2. India’s food regulator has invited inputs from original equipment manufacturers (OEM) or suppliers on draft technical specifications for LC-HRMS, LC-IRMS and EA-IRMS systems by December 1, 2025. A physical presentation will be held on December 3 in New Delhi, with priority given to OEM submissions.
Source: h7.cl/1jXRD

3. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has proposed to exempt an additional 84 patented, proprietary and upcoming drug formulations from the Global Tender Enquiry cap. Domestic manufacturers have been invited to submit objections to the proposed list by December 5, 2025.
Source: h7.cl/1jXRR

4. The government has made enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based infectious disease screening compulsory in all licensed blood centres after HIV infections linked to contaminated transfusions in Jharkhand. It will also impose stricter inspections and enforce licensing rules to strengthen national blood-safety standards.
Source: h7.cl/1jXR8

5. Kerala’s government is preparing to launch “Genome City” in early 2026 at the Bio360 Life Sciences Park in Thonnakkal. The 60-acre facility will host pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies, alongside high-end research centres. The initiative will leverage excellent connectivity and aims to drive innovation, create thousands of jobs, and accelerate approvals via a single-window system.
Source: h7.cl/1f7O-

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 regulator (CDSCO) has issued a clarification stating that only Indian-issued manufacturing, import, and sale licenses from the Central or State Licensing Authorities as applicable are mandatory for all medical devices in India. Procurement agencies and hospitals must require these licenses in technical bids. Any foreign certifications may be added but cannot replace mandatory Indian approval.
Source: h7.cl/1jTDc

2. India’s pharmaceutical industry is reportedly upgrading quality systems, regulatory alignment and scientific rigour as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) as tightens requirements for bioavailability and bioequivalence of oral drugs. Post-approval changes now require stronger data, dissolution studies, and risk-based evaluation. The move aligns India with global regulatory expectations and aims to enhance drug reliability, consistency, and overall patient safety.
Source: h7.cl/1jTDs

3. MNC drugmakers are urging CDSCO to grant 10-year regulatory data exclusivity for novel drugs, arguing it will protect first-mover clinical trial data, boost innovation, and attract R&D investment. This follows CDSCO’s sought industry feedback on rules that require the first applicant to conduct clinical trials and bioequivalence studies, while the subsequent filers could skip the trials.
Source: h7.cl/1jTDC

4. Raids by the Kerala Drugs Control Department in Kozhikode, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram revealed that discount pharmacies are stocking a wide array of counterfeit and poor-quality medicines, facilitated by weak inspection and unregulated distribution networks. Stakeholders are now urging Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) intervention.
Source: h7.cl/1jTDY

5. The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories has issued a guidance document to strengthen quality at medical laboratory sample collection centres, outlining requirements, hygiene and transport protocols, temperature control measures, and strict oversight to ensure integrity and reliability of patient test results across all facilities.
Source: h7.cl/1jTEn

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 CDSCO via a circular has directed all licensing authorities to ensure that retail and wholesale pharmacy stores prominently display the designated Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PVPI) QR code and toll-free number. This initiative aims to facilitate easy and seamless reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADR) by the public, strengthening drug safety monitoring.
Source: h7.cl/1jLf0

2. FSSAI has issued an advisory for dairy units selling milk/milk products via vending machines and kiosks, directing them to maintain approved rapid-test kits on-site for detecting common adulterants. The machines must display usage instructions, enable consumer self-tests or staff-demonstrations, retain usage records, and ensure kit validity and proper storage.
Source: h7.cl/1jLfi

3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reportedly directed immediate removal of fruit-based beverages, R-T-S drinks and energy drinks labelled with the term “ORS” from retail and e-commerce platforms, reaffirming that only formulations meeting WHO oral-rehydration-solution standards may use “ORS”.
Source: h7.cl/1jLft

4. Indian Government reportedly plans to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by adding sale licensing conditions a per which advertising of high-risk drugs in Schedules G, H, H1 and X will be explicitly banned, including via e-commerce and digital platforms, in order to curb self-medication, misleading claims an misuse of potent medicines.
Source: h7.cl/1jLfQ

5. Indian Government is reportedly framing a broader medical-device manufacturing policy aimed at cutting the country’s heavy import dependence. The plan focuses on boosting domestic production, introducing quality standards for thousands of devices, promoting zero-defect manufacturing, and strengthening India’s global competitiveness in the healthcare technology sector.
Source: h7.cl/1eWCg

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 urged the Union Government to consider giving legal backing to the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024, noting that the current voluntary framework lacks effective enforcement and leaves patient unprotected. The Court indicated it may issue interim guidelines and sought detailed proposals for a statutory, government-enforced framework.
Source: h7.cl/1jDIt

2. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approached the NCLAT to clarify whether privacy safeguards for non-advertising data sharing should also apply when a social media platform shares user data with its parent company for advertising purposes. This follows the lifting of a five-year ban on such data sharing,
Source: h7.cl/1ePhT

3. India’s central drug regulator (CDSCO) reportedly plans for a digital tracking system for high-risk solvents like diethylene glycol and batch-level reporting to prevent cough-syrup contamination. Authorities are also increasing scrutiny of unlicensed rural pharmacies and considering removal of the Schedule K exemption that currently eases regulatory requirements for selling cough syrups.
Source: h7.cl/1ePhW

4. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has resolved a long-standing issue affecting pharmaceutical exporters by clarifying redemption of Advance Authorisations (AAs) impacted by the old CGST Rule 96(10). The move addresses compliance hurdles for duty-free raw material imports for the pharma sector.
Source: h7.cl/1jDHw

5. Indian government has launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) 2.0 (2025–29) to counter rising drug resistance. The plan sets clear timelines, strengthens surveillance, curbs antibiotic misuse, boosts lab and infection-control capacity, and adopts a One Health approach through coordinated, multi-ministerial action against the growing AMR threat.
Source: h7.cl/1jDHD

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. Bureau of Indian Standards is reportedly launching a scientific study on plastic food-packaging safety amid escalating temperatures and prolonged food delivery-times across India. The initiative will evaluate practical performance of materials like PET, recycled PET, polycarbonate and laminated films under heat and humidity, and may prompt revisions to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 and higher compliance demands for food-delivery platforms.
Source: rb.gy/rl81wz

2. Punjab health authorities have directed all civil and district hospitals and medical colleges to immediately suspend and quarantine all batches of the anti-haemophilia Factor IX concentrate after reports of adverse reactions. The action is a precautionary step while the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) conducts laboratory tests to assess the product’s safety and quality.
Source: urli.info/1jkBD

3. India’s Delhi High Court has refused to allow a major consumer health company to sell remaining stocks of an ORS-type beverages, upholding regulatory ban imposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on products marketed as oral rehydration solutions without meeting WHO-recommended composition standards or obtaining proper regulatory approval.
Source: urli.info/1jkBP

4. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reportedly revised guidelines so that COVID-19 testing is no longer mandatory for asymptomatic organ donors or recipients, except in lung transplant procedures where RT-PCR remains essential.
Source: urli.info/1jkBW

5. The Pharmacy Council of India has reportedly directed state pharmacy councils to submit updated lists of registered pharmacists, including registration validity, email IDs, mobile numbers, etc. by November 30, 2025. The direction follows the July 31 deadline delay and aims to support the Health Professional Registry under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
Source: urli.info/1jkBz

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 notified an amendment the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014. The amendment specifies that in Form 15, under “Corneal Transplantation Centre,” the word “Specular” shall be replaced with “Specular (optional),” making the requirement for specular examination optional.
Source: urli.info/1eoY-

2. The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice in a petition by the Haemophilia Federation of India seeking inclusion of haemophilia under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016’s provision which mandates a 4% reservation in government employment for persons with benchmark disabilities (those with 40% or more disability). Further, if there cannot be an inclusion, the petitioners have prayed for striking down the exclusion.
Source: urli.info/1eoZ1

3. A report by CyberPeace warns that early exposure to online gaming is increasingly linked to obesity, sleep disruption, repetitive-strain injuries and mental-health issues among children. It urges India to adopt robust age-verification mechanisms, formal content ratings and a “living legislation” framework for game developers and publishers.
Source: urli.info/1eoZa

4. The Indian Pharmacopoeia has reportedly been officially recognised by 17 countries as the authoritative standards for medicines. This recognition will enhance the quality assurance of pharmaceutical products, eliminate duplicate testing, promote export growth, and strengthen India’s position as a reliable supplier of affordable, high-quality medicines worldwide.
Source: urli.info/1jcwP

5. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has updated its guidance on advertising therapeutic goods on social media, clarifying legal responsibilities for advertisers, influencers and account holders. The update outlines what qualifies as advertising, the use of testimonials, mandatory health warnings and common breaches, after removing over 13,700 unlawful ads in FY 2024 25.
Source 1: urli.info/1jcwR
Source 2: urli.info/1jcwU

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 (FSSAI) has issued the Draft Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Amendment Regulations, 2025, proposing tighter standards for special wine. The draft introduces a 0.3% sugar tolerance for “Brut” sparkling wine, removes “special wine used,” and makes standard-drink labelling mandatory. A format for public comments has been shared, and feedback is open until 3rd January 2026.
Source 1: urli.info/1jcbJ
Source 2: urli.info/1eoEY

2. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has reportedly instructed state drug controllers to immediately initiate inspections under the revised Schedule M for the manufacturing units that have not applied for extensions. For manufacturing units that have applied for extensions, the effective date for revised Schedule M implementation is January 1, 2026. The directive follows recent safety lapses, including the fatal cough-syrup incident.
Source: urli.info/1eoDR

3. The Goa Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (DFDA) has directed all retail pharmacies to display QR codes to facilitate reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) through the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission’s ADR Monitoring System. QR codes must be prominently displayed to enable consumers and healthcare professionals to report ADRs.
Source: urli.info/1jcb0

4. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, in partnership with NITI Aayog and the Central Tuberculosis Division, will reportedly develop new monographs for the anti-tuberculosis medicines delamanid, pretomanid and the rifapentine-isoniazid fixed-dose combination to enhance quality standards, support rational use and strengthen adverse-drug-reaction reporting.
Source: urli.info/1jcaF

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory clarifying stating that honey samples exceeding the permissible 80 mg/kg limit for Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) shall be classified as “Substandard”, not “Unsafe.” The clarification follows the Scientific Panel’s view that current research is insufficient to determine health risks from higher HMF levels.
Source: urli.info/1eoD4

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.Kerala High Court has ordered against the usage of “Dr.” prefix by physiotherapists and occupational therapists who do not possess recognized medical qualification. The order came while considering challenges to recent curriculum provisions allowing such usage, the next hearing is scheduled on December 1, 2025.
Source: urli.info/1em0-

2.The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the ceiling prices for six scheduled formulations, including riboflavin tablets, peritoneal dialysis solutions, ethyl alcohol, and human normal immunoglobulin. Manufacturers and importers are mandated to align MRPs to the notified prices, file Form V on IPDMS and ensure that retailers/distributors display price list in their premises.
Source: urli.info/1j9u0

3.The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over an advertisement by a leading ayurvedic drug company that labels rival company product as “dhoka” (fraud). The Court questioned whether the use of such terminology crosses the permissible threshold and amounts to impermissible disparagement of a competitor’s product.
Source: urli.info/1j8ZY

4.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, effective May 1, 2026. The amendment allows FSSAI approved or globally recognized analytical methods and mandates that the notified or referral laboratory to submit duly signed food analysis reports within five days of receiving samples.
Source: urli.info/1j9up

5.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 to include cell or stem-cell derived products, gene therapeutic products and xenografts under the regulatory framework currently governing recombinant DNA derived drugs, aligning regulatory provisions and licensing forms with emerging Source:
advanced biological therapies.
Source: urli.info/1j9ta

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. India’s Health Ministry has directed all manufacturers of high-risk pharma-grade solvents to obtain or register their licences on the ONDLS portal and upload batch-wise details, including quantity, CoA, and vendor information. A list of high-risk solvents has been issued, and State Drug Regulators have been directed to ensure that no batch is sold without compliance to these directions.
Source: urli.info/1iJjN

2. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has clarified that manufacturers of risk Class A and B medical devices not listed in its risk classification list must obtain proper risk classification from CDSCO before applying for a manufacturing licence. Investigational medical device manufacturers must also secure prior CDSCO permission before the grant of manufacturing licence.
Source: urli.info/1dXH7

3. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued a list of Class A non-sterile and non-measuring (NSNM) medical devices which are exempted from licensing requirements. Manufacturers and importers of the listed devices must obtain CDSCO registration as Class A NSNM medical devices under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017.
Source: urli.info/1dXHz

4. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has ruled that the Competition Commission of India lacks jurisdiction to investigate alleged anti-competitive conduct involving patented pharmaceutical products, emphasising that the Patents Act, 1970 prevails over the Competition Act, 2002 when the conduct in question arises from the exercise of patent rights.
Source: urli.info/1dXHI

5. The Delhi High Court has upheld the FSSAI’s directive prohibiting companies from using the term “ORS” (Oral Rehydration Solution) on product labels unless the formulation meets prescribed standards. The Court held that public health considerations override commercial claims and that products misleadingly labelled as “ORS” could endanger consumers. While the company may request FSSAI permission to re-label existing stock, the ban itself remains in force.
Source: urli.info/1iJkL