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 Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has launched a new online Risk Classification Module for medical devices, excluding IVDs. Effective 27 November 2025, applicants can seek classification for devices not listed in CDSCO’s published list via the portal, simplifying regulatory approvals for Medical Devices.
Source: h7.cl/1kNrH

2. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and India’s Central Drug authority CDSCO (IVD Division) has jointly developed the MedTech Mitra IVD Innovators Handbook to guide developers through clinical validation. It outlines key milestones, regulatory and ethical expectations, and evidence requirements, helping innovators plan effectively and generate strong clinical data to support the safety and efficacy of their diagnostic products.
Source: h7.cl/1kNrK

3. Rajya Sabha members urged the government to ban misleading surrogate ads promoting tobacco and liquor, citing rising cancer and heart disease cases. During debate on the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, they sought stricter controls, awareness campaigns and higher taxes to curb tobacco use and protect public health.
Source: h7.cl/1fVMQ

4. The Delhi High Court has declined to grant injunctive relief against an Semaglutide manufacturer, thereby permitting the manufacture and export of semaglutide to jurisdictions where no valid patent protection subsists. The Court clarified that while export to non-patent markets is permissible, the sale or distribution of the drug within India remains prohibited until expiry of the relevant patent.
Source: h7.cl/1kNrT

5. The Indian government has introduced the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, proposing a new cess on the installed machinery or processes used for the manufacture of goods such as pan masala, with scope to include other products in future. The cess will apply across all production methods, machine-based, manual, or hybrid.
Source: h7.cl/1kNrW