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TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

1. India’s Consumer Affairs Ministry’s is proposing to amend labelling and packaging regulations for pre-packaged goods. Currently, certain large packages, like those exceeding 25 kilograms or liters, are exempt from displaying crucial information. This includes details like the maximum retail price (MRP), the date by which the product should ideally be consumed (best before date), who manufactured it, and where it came from (country of origin). Other exempt categories include cement, fertilizer, agricultural produce in 50 kg bags, and products destined for industrial or institutional use. The proposed amendment aims to close this loophole and ensure all these bulk packages are labelled clearly and consistently, just like retail products.
The proposed amendments are open for public consultation till 29th July 2024.
Source: bit.ly/4cZPiCG

2. Maharashtra state in India has reportedly announced a ban on sale of energy drinks with high caffeine content within 500-meter radius of schools. This directive aims to safeguard student health.
Source: bit.ly/467rxGj

3. India’s Karnataka Medical Council (“KMC”) has issued a show cause notice to a dermatologist alleging violation of Code of Medical Ethics, 2002 for advertising drugs/medicines on social media. The action on the part of KMC comes after it received a complaint from Indian Association of Dermatologist, Venerologists and Leprologists.
Source: bit.ly/3zLuAYY

4. India’s drugmakers are pushing the government to loosen price controls. They propose exempting all medicines under ₹5 and extending the exemption for patented drugs (currently 5 years) to 10 years. This comes amid rising costs for ingredients, prompting them to request a reduction in GST on these materials. The industry argues stricter controls stifle research and development.
Source: bit.ly/3S7oqIF

5. Indian Supreme Court has rejected Doctor’s plea for improved security, which is filed by a Delhi Medical Association. The apex court was hearing the DMA’s petition which also sought directions to the authorities to ensure adequate security at hospitals and medical centres to prevent attacks on doctors and healthcare workers by patients’ relatives and others. The Apex Court stated that currently laws exist to deal with such instances.
Source: bit.ly/3Ln9Fh9

Posted on

TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, 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.

Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Drugs cannot claim “Certified by” or “Approved by”: Ministry of AYUSH
India’s AYUSH Ministry has reportedly issued a warning to all ayurveda, siddha, unani and homeopathic drug makers, against the use of any misleading, unsubstantiated claims and false advertisements such as a green logo or false statements like “the product is approved or certified by the ministry”. The Ministry also clarified that it has no role in issuing manufacturing licences or approvals. This warning comes in the backdrop of a misleading advertisements case against a major Ayurvedic drugs and products manufacturer in the Supreme Court of India.
Source: bit.ly/3UF32fP

After Hong Kong, US Food Regulator is probing Indian spices due to reports of contamination
The US Food and Drug Administration has reportedly initiated a probe against two Indian spice manufacturers for their spice mixes which allegedly contain hazardous cancer-causing pesticides. The two manufacturers who are facing similar controversies in Hong Kong and Singapore have refuted the allegations. India’s spice regulator, the Spice Board of India, has taken cognizance of matter and is working closely with the two manufacturers to ascertain the root cause of such allegations.
Source: bit.ly/3UB8q3r

India extends the approval for use of drones for spraying approved pesticides till April 18, 2025
India’s Agriculture Ministry has extended its interim approval by one year, i.e., until April 18, 2025, for drone-based application of already approved pesticides formulations including insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators which were earlier permitted to be only sprayed manually by knapsack sprayers. The earlier approval was valid till April 18, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/4bf9MX7

Indian FMCG companies are reclassifying popular health drinks as functional nutritional drinks to comply with the recent government directions
Days after India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a directive to all e-commerce sites instructing not to list malt drink mixes and other similar products under the category of health drinks, Indian manufacturers have started reclassifying their products. A major manufacturer of food products has classified its malt drink mix as “Functional Nutritional Drink”. India’s food regulator had clarified earlier this month that there is no category called “health drink” under which it grants manufacturing license.
Source: bit.ly/4dbOpb7

India’s Madras High Court denies relief to doctors for violating bond conditions; directs them to undertake Bond Service in Government Medical College and Hospitals
India’s Madras High Court has upheld the validity of bond service conditions based on bond agreements signed by doctors. The instant case related to temporary appointment of three doctors to the post of Assistant Surgeon in compliance with bond agreement. The doctors claimed that they had served during COVID-19 pandemic period and urged their service be calculated basis two years of service as stipulated in the bond. The High Court stated that the period of COVID duty done by Medical Officers after completion of their PG courses alone will be treated as Bond Service and services rendered by the Postgraduates during their courses would be considered as study period only.
Source: bit.ly/44opFYX