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 approved adding the HPV vaccine to the Universal Immunisation Programme, targeting girls aged 9–14. This aligns with the June 2022 NTAGI recommendation and is supported by ongoing frontline healthcare worker training and rollout planning.
Source: shorturl.at/3e0T0

2. Meghalaya announced plans to introduce legislation requiring mandatory HIV/AIDS testing prior to marriage. The government is drafting a cabinet note and engaging district stakeholders to advance a mission mode HIV control policy.
Source: tinyurl.com/yfhymxdx

3. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, signed on July 24, 2025, excludes patent term extensions and data exclusivity, safeguarding India’s generic drug industry. However, experts warn it restricts compulsory licensing by promoting voluntary licences and “adequate remuneration” clauses, and that this could undermine India’s ability to supply affordable medicines to developing countries.
Source: tinyurl.com/3wm9wwz9

4. The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), representing over 12 lakh chemists nationwide has reportedly urged the Drug Controller General of India to take urgent action, alleging that State Licensing Authorities are failing to stop illegal e pharmacies misusing draft notifications leading to unregulated online medicine sales and posing risks to public health.
Source: tinyurl.com/39b9a44n

5. Nathealth urged Niti Aayog to simplify healthcare regulations through a digital single-window system, highlighting burdensome compliance from 10–12 ministries. A white paper identified 85 regulatory challenges, calling for harmonisation across states to boost efficiency, innovation, and patient-focused care in hospitals, diagnostics, and medtech.
Source: tinyurl.com/5582rp5n

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 Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 to identify, assess, and remediate contaminated sites across India. The rules mandate state pollution boards to coordinate sampling, remediation, cost recovery, and risk-based action plans using a centralized online portal for monitoring and enforcement.
Source: bit.ly/3IMIeiU

2. The National Medical Commission released formal guidelines on the ethical conduct and broadcasting of live surgeries. Key provisions include mandatory explicit patient consent, anonymisation protocols, supervision by ethics boards, clear educational intent, and strict limits on commercial elements. The notice responds to Supreme Court scrutiny and aims to safeguard patient welfare in live surgical demonstrations.
Source: bit.ly/3IOGaqH
Source: bit.ly/45lJceG

3. India’s Drug Controller General has mandated state regulators to instruct manufacturers to closely monitor NDMA levels in ranitidine API and finished formulations, reduce shelf life, and implement risk-based controls. This follows a DTAB recommendation for a broader expert review and an ICMR safety study amid carcinogen concerns.
Source: bit.ly/4of1dTy
Source: bit.ly/3IPcABh

4. Delhi Drug Control Department has issued directive addressed to pharmacies to install CCTV cameras by July 31, 2025, to curb the sale of over-the-counter dual-use drugs without a valid prescription. Pharmacists across Delhi are voicing financial and procedural concerns over the government’s advisory.
Source: bit.ly/4mdEgOD

5. Delhi High Court directed the Centre to establish clear and enforceable guidelines for the collection and transport of medical samples. In response, the government has formed expert panels that have finalized draft standards, which are now under legal review and expected to be officially notified within three months.
Source: bit.ly/41freYK

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 National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has directed all manufacturers, importers, and marketers of non-scheduled drugs and medical devices to cap MRP increases at 10% over the preceding 12 months. Violation of this directive, issued under the Drugs Price Control Order 2013, will invite penal action under relevant laws.
Source: bit.ly/3GIUvEu

2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued a notification mandating 100% inspection of all packaged drinking water units in Hyderabad and across state of Maharashtra, deploying RAFT kits and mobile labs. The move classifies bottled water as “high-risk,” requiring annual or bi-annual audits, tighter quality checks to ensure product safety, and enforce immediate corrective actions through intensified inspections and enhanced stakeholder awareness.
Source: bit.ly/4o0HYwZ

3. The Health Ministry has linked the Kayakalp scheme with National Quality Assurance Standards certification. Hospitals must apply for state level NQAS certification within three months of receiving Kayakalp results to get incentives, ensuring a direct shift from cleanliness efforts to comprehensive healthcare quality and patient safety.
Source: bit.ly/4lJv0Sr

4. India’s Union Health Ministry has clarified that states and UTs bear primary responsibility for implementing passive euthanasia and living wills within hospital protocols and, must establish ethical safeguards as per Supreme Court guidelines. States are also tasked with training healthcare professionals to respect patients’ end of life choices and simplify advance directive procedures
Source: bit.ly/44TTG3q

5. Uttar Pradesh Health Department is reportedly set to digitally deliver medical test reports directly to patients’ mobile phones, via WhatsApp, SMS, and the Personal Health Record portal. The system aims to connects district and community health center hospital management information systems with Laboratory information systems under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
Source: bit.ly/3TWuvZa

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 Organisation has notified that all WHO GMP (COPP) applications be submitted exclusively via the ONDLS portal, effective from 15th August, 2025 and that physical submission will no longer be accepted after this date. This deadline, initially set for 15th July, 2025, was extended by a month due to stakeholder challenges with uploading the documents on the portal.
Source: bit.ly/4eTVL4e

2. The Union Health Ministry and PIB have dismissed reports claiming mandatory warning labels on samosas, jalebis, laddoos, and similar snacks, calling them misleading and baseless. The real advisory pertains to general dietary awareness, not targeting street foods.
Source: bit.ly/46Kaqwz

3. The Delhi High Court has held that the defendant’s ORSL mark is deceptively similar to the plaintiff’s ERSI mark according to the triple identity test as the marks, products (oral rehydration solutions), and trade channels are identical.
Source: bit.ly/44UUSDP

4. The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief in favor of Jio and Reliance by ordering major e-commerce platforms to temporarily delist listings from 21 sellers who have been offering counterfeit Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) under the “Reliance” and “Jio” trademarks.
Source: bit.ly/44LrMql

5. Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH) is reportedly launching EndoCare India, a multidisciplinary care model for disorders like endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic pelvic pain.
Source: bit.ly/3GQQPAp

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. India’s central drug authority has launched a new CT 04 application module on its SUGAM online portal, streamlining the issuance of import licences for cell & gene therapeutic products to simplify and accelerate regulatory compliance and imports.
Source: bit.ly/3TGuNmR

2. A Central Drugs Consultative Committee panel has noted consumer complaints over unreadable expiry dates, tiny fonts, glossy packaging, and generic-brand confusion on medicinal products. It recommends forming a DCGI-led sub committee including a packaging expert to overhaul labelling norms and evaluate regulatory requirements for packaging suppliers under Drugs Rules, 1945.
Source: bit.ly/3IpVF8h

3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently directed licensing authorities to audit annual returns filed by food business operators on the FoSCoS platform. Authorities have been directed to flag inconsistencies, permit revisions via updated portal features, and enforce penalties for false declarations.
Source: bit.ly/4lpGH0p

4. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has mandated that customs officers verify the registration of plastic raw material importers on the Centralized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal before clearing consignments. This directive aligns with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3TYREu9

5. The Government of India has reportedly planned to transfer the National Health Claims Exchange (Insurance claims platform) from the health ministry to the finance ministry under Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority’s oversight to combat inflated hospital bills for insured patients.
Source: bit.ly/40hID2M

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 Government has notified Extended Producer Responsibility Rules for non-ferrous metal waste, effective April 2026. Applicable to pharma, food, and consumer goods sectors, these rules mandate registration, traceability, annual returns, and recycling targets to boost circular economy efforts and environmental compliance.
Source: bit.ly/4loNjMw

2. The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), New Delhi, recently ruled that HIV viral load (HIV VL) test kits constitute “life saving diagnostic kits,” making them eligible for customs duty exemption. This landmark decision is poised to reduce import costs, boost accessibility, and support public health initiatives within India.
Source: bit.ly/3GmAVxA

3. The panel set by the Drugs Controller General of India has reportedly recommended a complete ban on cosmetics containing more than 1 part per million (ppm) of mercury, aligning with the Minamata Convention. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation will enforce self declarations and random lab testing to protect public health.
Source: bit.ly/401j99Q

4. The Delhi High court has directed the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to review the approval and sale of weight loss drugs like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Liraglutide. Responding to a PIL citing safety concerns and lack of India specific trials the court ordered expert consultations and a detailed report within three months.
Source: bit.ly/3IaT69X

5. The Madras High Court of India has held that the Customs Department is legally bound by the Director General of Foreign Trade’s classification of capital goods under the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme. This ruling provides clarity for exporters and importers by ensuring uniform interpretation of capital goods classification under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Source: bit.ly/4ldsFyZ

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 (MoHFW) is reportedly planning to integrate India’s Rare Donor Registry (RDRI) with the e-Rakt Kosh portal to streamline access to rare blood types like Bombay and Rh-null. This move connects over 4,000 rare blood donors with hospitals nationwide, improving response time and ensuring safer transfusions for patients with conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
Source: bit.ly/3HS9IDi

2. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has flagged 128 drug batches as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) in its May 2025 alert. The list includes common medicines like paracetamol, dapagliflozin, dexamethasone, and others. Issues cited include assay failures, content non-uniformity, sterility, and misbranding. The alert aims to safeguard public health by informing stakeholders and enabling swift regulatory action.
Source: bit.ly/45wqAt3

3. Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Immunohaematology has developed a low-cost, rapid test kit for Hemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease. it will reduce the healthcare cost significantly and could become a worldwide solution for early diagnosis and treatment.
Source: bit.ly/4k5H4vR

4. A major eyewear company admitted before the Delhi High Court that it mistakenly used another company’s registered trademarks but had no intention of infringing them. The company removed all references. The court accepted this, recorded the admission, and issued a binding decree, formally closing the trademark-infringement case.
Source: bit.ly/43X8tvh

5. India’s Health Ministry has proposed including liver and heart transplants under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY insurance scheme, following recommendations from NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization). Currently, only kidney transplants are covered, making life-saving procedures more accessible and affordable.
Source: bit.ly/4eePwYt

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 West Bengal Legislative Assembly has passed a new Bill which is an amendment to the Clinical Establishments Act, 2017. The new Bill empowers the State to regulate treatment costs in private clinics, enforce fixed and package rates, streamline licensing, and mandate electronic medical records to ensure consumer protection and transparency.
Source: bit.ly/4k87Cg8

2. India’s Consumer Affairs Ministry has reportedly directed edible oil manufacturers and importers to reduce retail prices in order to pass the benefits of the recent import duty cuts to consumers. Although the new rates are in effect, supply chain delays may postpone noticeable price reduction until late June.
Source: bit.ly/3I5h5Hm

3. Federation of Indian Pharmacist Organizations (FIPO) has urged the Union Health Ministry to reject Drug Technical Advisory Board’s draft permitting sale of 16 OTC drugs (like paracetamol, clotrimazole) through unlicensed outlets without pharmacist oversight, citing risk to public safety.
Source: bit.ly/4kNtMoO

4. The 20 Nifty Pharma firms held a record ₹48,913 cr in cash as of March 31, doubling FY20 levels, and added over ₹10,200 cr in FY25. The cash reserves are aimed at funding M&A, expanding into complex therapy areas to transition into higher-margin, innovation-driven sectors.
Source: bit.ly/4kRGMdg

5. The U.S. FDA has launched a pilot program to accelerate drug reviews for companies aligned with national health priorities, such as pandemic readiness and essential drug supply. Selected firms will benefit from enhanced FDA engagement and early submissions, expediting approvals without compromising safety standards.
Source: bit.ly/3HQPWrH

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. USA has requested India to remove import duties and relax stringent price controls on medical devices and relax rules on data localization policy with an aim to boost trade between nations.
Source: bit.ly/45hYyBt

2. The Central Pollution Control Board has introduced a step-by-step complaint module for changing login credentials on the Plastic Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility portal, easing access for affected companies.
Source: bit.ly/4e1NJWh

3. India’s Health Ministry mandates purchase invoice billing or provision of CGHS supplied medicines for Central Government Health Scheme claims, squeezing private hospital margins and prompting sector backlash
Source: bit.ly/3HT7nI4

4. Indian pharma companies increasingly deploy blockchain and smart contracts to enhance serialisation, ensure Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) compliance, curb counterfeit drugs, automate supplier processes and reinforce production quality and security.
Source: bit.ly/3SRv85J

5. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued further FAQs to provide clarity on the implementation of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2022. Key clarifications include guidelines on the declaration of MRP, labelling requirements for weighing machine, declaration regarding Institutional sale etc.
Source: bit.ly/440O2w7