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. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)Trade Connect ePlatform has reportedly expanded the ‘Source from India’ portal to include all pharma Status Holder exporters with valid IECs. This upgrade enhances global discoverability, boosts buyer-supplier connectivity, and further promotes India’s position as a key player in global pharmaceutical trade.
Source: bit.ly/3Ts7gWt

2. The global pharma market is reportedly shifting toward specialty drugs like biologics and oncology therapies. India, while leading in generics, is investing heavily in biosimilars, innovation, and digital health—strengthening its dual role in high-volume supply and cutting-edge pharmaceutical R&D.
Source: bit.ly/4n6JKvN

3. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has issued new harmonised guidance for medical device classification and borderline products. The update refines risk categories (A–D), defines ambiguous products, and promotes faster regulatory approvals, supporting pharma-medtech innovators in expanding across the Southeast Asian market.
Source 1 : bit.ly/43P2g4t
Source 2 : bit.ly/3HKZ8xN

4. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies has reportedly expressed their concern Maharashtra’s government to revisit its decision to raise excise duty on Indian-made foreign liquor(IMFL), country liquor, and imports by up to 50–85%. Industry leaders warns this could trigger a surge in illicit trade, harm legal sales, and reduce long-term state revenues despite short-term ₹14,000 crore projections.
Source: bit.ly/4jQJ3UN

5. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized guidance to streamline the pre-submission facility correspondence (PFC) process for priority abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs). By submitting complete and accurate facility information at least 60 days before ANDA submission, applicants can qualify for an expedited 8-month review timeline.
Source: bit.ly/4jRpNq0