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 Director General of Foreign Trade has issued a Trade Notice, reducing the amount of export eligible for net-subvention to only Rs. 5 Crore for MSMEs till 30th September 2024, and Rs. 2.5 Crores for manufacturing exporters as calculated till 20th June 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3zsuYM8

2. The Supreme Court has issued Notices in connection with a Public Interest Litigation challenging the constitutionality of Rule 9(ii) of the Clinical Establishments Rules, which seek to introduce a price-control mechanism on the cost of healthcare treatment.
Source: bit.ly/3zqVx48

3. The Supreme Court has issued an Order recommending that the High Court of West Bengal may consider withdrawing the anticipatory Bail granted to an accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and expressed that it was highly concerning that such anticipatory bail was granted.
Source: bit.ly/3BfCUAY

4. The State Drugs Controller of the State of Karnataka has announced that it will be using emergency medical tracking functions first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, to keep track of analgesic medication to prevent their misuse.
Source: bit.ly/47DyH5Z

5. Starting from 19th September 2024, if the investigation of a complaint received by the Competition Commission has lead to it passing an order ex-parte, it shall be mandatory to give notice of said order and provide the impugned parties an opportunity to be heard.
Source: bit.ly/4e8jtIB

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 Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) have released Version 2.0 of the “Pharmacovigilance Guidance Document for Marketing Authorization Holders (MAHs) of Pharmaceutical Products”. This document facilitates the submission of the safety profiles of drugs by MAHs (manufacturer, marketer, or importer of a drug) and outlines the timeline for the process.
Source: bit.ly/4dctGCs

2. India’s Central Drug Regulator (CDSCO) is reportedly considering a proposal to change the color of all antimicrobial drug strips to blue for safer usage and to visually differentiate these drugs to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This proposal would apply to pharmaceutical drugs and medicines, including antibiotics, antivirals, anti-parasitics, and antifungal drugs.
Source: bit.ly/47BUL0P

3. India’s Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has asked the leading edible oil associations in India to maintain the maximum retail price (MRP) of edible oil until the stocks of the edible oil that are imported at 0% and 12.5% basic customs duty (BCD) are exhausted. The Government of India has increased the BCD on various edible oils, which is effective from 14th September 2024, to support domestic oilseed prices.
Source: bit.ly/4e9Gwmj

4. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released the second edition of ISO 23500-1:2024, outlining requirements for the preparation and quality management of fluids used in hemodialysis and related therapies. This standard guides practitioners on handling dialysis and substitution fluids for advanced treatments like hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration.
Source: bit.ly/3Bjlzqt
Source: bit.ly/4gskk8H

5. India’s Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has taken action against an Ayurvedic drug manufacturing company by seizing its products and prohibiting the further distribution of its Ayurvedic drugs due to improper labeling. The company has made false and misleading claims about the drugs and its treatment in its advertisements, which are prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954, and Rules, 1955.
Source: bit.ly/3ZucKUU

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 Consultative Committee (DCC) has reportedly recommended to make Sugam portal database of all the products with brand names accessible to the general public to address the issue of different drug formulations of different therapeutic categories being sold with same or similar brand names in the nation.
Source: bit.ly/3XMWBbV2. The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) has revised the accreditation standards for hospitals which will come into effect on January 1, 2025. No surveillance assessment will be conducted as per the old accreditation standard by NABH after 31st March 2025.
Source: bit.ly/47ydjPr

3. India’s Central Food Regulator will approve import of food consignments from Bhutan on the strength of Health Certificate issued by Bhutan Food and Drug Authority provided they are manufactured by the approved list of establishments of Bhutan.
Source: bit.ly/4gmtRxY

4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned a major pharmaceutical company for making false and misleading claims about the benefits of a migraine pill in a television advertisement by a famous sports person. The claims were made against the results that were demonstrated in clinical trials.
Source: bit.ly/4gtau6m

5. A group of experts constituted by NITI Aayog to prepare a framework for action for emergency response and preparedness to address future pandemic, has recommended making the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) an independent regulatory authority. They have recommended to provide CDSCO with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Accelerated Emergency Use Authorisation for innovations and provisions for fast-tracking the process during pandemics.
Source: bit.ly/3XNynys

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. Application process for (1) Manufacture/ import a New Drug/ formulation, or conduct clinical trial, (2) Manufacture/ import of new bulk drug substance, and (3) Import of finished formulation of a new drug will henceforth exclusively take place online on the SUGAM portal, and processing of offline application has been retroactively paused from 16th August 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3z9EX92 

2. All registered Doctors are required to re-register their MBBS qualifications on the newly operationalized National Medical Register Portal and shall be provided a Unique Identification Number.
Source: bit.ly/3TyGpsl
Source: bit.ly/3zy4PLE3. The central drugs regulator of India, the Drugs Controller General of India has issued a revised Guidelines and checklists for Zonal, Sub-Zonal and Port-officers of the State Drug Authorities providing updated policy on how to conduct their duties.
Source: bit.ly/3TuM2b3

4. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has clarified that in the event of a conflict of interpretation between the newly released digital version of the Indian Pharmacopoeia 2022, and the print version the print version shall win out.
Source: bit.ly/4gqZ2IA

5. In addition to requiring audio-visual warnings during presentation of films, the Central government will require all online curated content publishers to display a non-skippable anti-tobacco audio-visual advertisement, as well as place a static message for the duration of display of use of tobacco and tobacco products in the curated content. This requirement shall be effective form March 2025.
Source: bit.ly/3XMqTvq

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 released draft guidelines on Good Clinical Practices Rules to align India’s clinical trial rules with international standards. The draft is open for comments by October 12, 2024.
Source: https://bit.ly/3XpPdSr

2. India’s premier consumer forum ordered a major medical device manufacturer to pay compensation to one of the claimants who had suffered adverse reactions as a result of faults in the surgical-implants which they had received from it.
Source: https://bit.ly/3ztLCe5

3. India’s statutory body regulating medical education, National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued revised guidelines removing sodomy and lesbianism from the category of unnatural sexual offences from its curriculum of medical education.
Source: https://bit.ly/3Xr5Kp7

4. India’s union health ministry has expanded the health insurance scheme under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to cover citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. The ministry will issue new, unique cards to senior citizens for the availment of the benefit.
Source: https://bit.ly/3XsD2nQ

5. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid. The hearing aid will be integrated into the hearing device of a giant electronic brand through software updates allowing the device to function as personalised hearing aid. The feature is aimed at helping users with their perceived mild-to-moderate hearing impairment.
Source: https://bit.ly/4e2LEsn

 

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 Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has set a Deal Value Threshold (DVT) of ₹2,000 crore for mergers and acquisitions under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023. Transactions wherein the target company having substantial business in India if exceeds the given threshold, will have to obtain prior approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
Source: bit.ly/3MGohZM

2. Ayurvedic businesses seeking to advertise ayurvedic drugs in Kerala must reportedly must secure permission from Kerala Drugs Control Department before making misleading and exaggerated claims via advertising. Advertisements made without approval will face legal repercussions.
Source: bit.ly/3AYOsbu

3. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued Environmental Compensation (EC) guidelines to address non-compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration requirements, non-fulfilment of EPR obligations, non-filing of annual returns, among other violations under the E-waste Management Rules, 2022. These guidelines also regulate the cost of EPR certificates for fulfilling EPR obligations.
Source: bit.ly/3B05aY8

4. India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to reduce the tax rate on cancer drugs – Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab to 5% from the previous tax rate of 12%. The Council is reportedly set to finalize reductions in tax rates for health and life insurance premiums in its next meeting in November 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3zd6NB2

5. Medical Colleges in India must reportedly meet the safety and security measures of women doctors, nurses and students to get recognition from the Medical Education Regulator, National Medical Commission.
Source: bit.ly/3XEGNrT 

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 government has made it mandatory for students pursuing medical education in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to clear the National Exit Test (NExT) after graduation. This requirement will apply to medical graduates from the 2021-2022 batch.
Source: bit.ly/4egpEdy

2. India’s central drug regulator (CDSCO) has asked a pharmaceutical company to explain its claims that its eyedrops can augment near vision in 15 minutes and that it has received marketing approval from CDSCO.
Source: bit.ly/4eyIWLp

3. The Bombay High Court restricted the CEO of a leading e-commerce luxury brand from hiring individuals from another e-commerce beauty brand on grounds that the CEO was misusing employee personal data that it had access to when he was the Chief Business Officer of the rival e-commerce beauty brand.
Source: bit.ly/4glsuzN

4. India’s central drug regulator (CDSCO) has issued an order providing guidance for industry on Pharmacovigilance Requirements for biological products.
Source: bit.ly/4dVKiQ7

5. India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has released a public notice amending the timeline for meeting the export obligation of drugs which have been imported from unregistered source.
Source: bit.ly/47qXv1a

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. Pharmaceutical companies will have to submit details of their expenditures incurred on sponsoring activities to the medical professionals within two months after the end of each financial year on the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) portal as part of implementation of the UCPMP Code 2024.
Source: bit.ly/47bQOjc

2. India’s Health Ministry has introduced guidelines to improve quality of healthcare services in government hospitals and healthcare institutions. Hospitals will now be required to report adherence to these guidelines and submit proposals for approval, specifically when significant changes or funding is involved.
Source: bit.ly/3XaYSMz

3. Pharmaceutical industry in India has reportedly voiced its concern over the delay in processing and issuance of review orders on the website by Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP). The consequence of delay in processing of review orders may results in halt of business activities thereby imposing manufacturers to sell the scheduled formulation or a new drug at a ceiling price which is under review.
Source: bit.ly/4cUYrMa

4. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is reportedly launching various digital initiatives, such as Online National Drug License System (ONDLS) and Track and Trace System, to transparently, and efficiently manage pharmaceutical regulations.
Source: bit.ly/47ai41s

5. Quality standards for MDMA and Psilocybine, well known psychedelic compounds has been prescribed by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Source: bit.ly/47a9jVm
Source: bit.ly/478wBLf

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. All medical practitioners (doctors) who practice modern medicine will have to mandatorily register on the new National Medical Register established by the National Medical Commission.
Source: bit.ly/3YYlPoE

2. The Indian Government is reportedly considering to ban 34 multivitamin drugs.
Source: bit.ly/4e0490u

3. The Indian Government is planning to publish a new policy for promoting bio-technology sector called BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy.
Source: bit.ly/3MiPNfw

4. A leading e-commerce giant has set up rest areas facility for its delivery partners in India. The rest area will have facilities like air conditioning, seating areas, drinking water, and mobile charging stations as a measure to provide them better working conditions.
Source: bit.ly/3MkPYHl

5. Amid rising cases of mpox globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly relaxed the rules for its health partners to hold commercial discussions on mpox vaccines. It has also declared that partners like GAVI and UNICEF can begin purchasing mpox vaccines before WHO approves them.
Source:  bit.ly/3Z0RWV0

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 food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has said that it is misleading to differentiate milk and milk products on whether they are made from A1 milk or A2 milk. All manufacturers and marketers and e-commerce entities have been directed to stop claims of A1 and A2 proteins present in the milk. All manufacturers have been given six months to exhaust all of the pre-printed labels containing claims about A1 and A2 proteins.
Source: bit.ly/4dz5awA

2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released updated guidelines for assessing environmental compensation to be levied on entities that violate the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations.
Source: bit.ly/46Uh9lX

3. India’s Ministry of Health has banned the 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) medications, commonly known as “cocktail drugs,” which include multivitamins, antibiotics, and painkillers. The ministry’s rationale is that these drugs have no there is no therapeutic justification and pose a risk to human health, even though there are safer alternatives available.
Source: bit.ly/3XfRVeq

4. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft guidance on pre-determined change control plans (PCCPs). The guidelines offer manufacturers a way to specify prospective modifications to a device and apply for premarket authorization for those changes in a marketing submission for the device. This eliminates the need for them to obtain FDA approval for each major change before it is implemented. The draft guidance is open to receiving comments from industry stakeholders till November 20, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3AtTY5B

5. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), an agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom, has ruled that a biopharmaceutical company has violated the country’s drug regulations by using a LinkedIn post to advertise prescription-only medicines to the general public.
Source: bit.ly/4fSmKgt