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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. An Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer has delayed commercial supplies of a recently launched diabetes therapy after identifying quality issues in certain production batches. The manufacturer is investigating the cause and implementing corrective measures, while confirming no impact on patient safety or existing regulatory filings.
Source: short-url.cc/1yS8o

2. India’s Rajasthan government has reportedly ordered the recall of Dinoprostone Gel, a labour-inducing medicine, after it failed quality testing. The state drug control department has directed the withdrawal of the affected batch and initiated regulatory action against the manufacturer. The recall reflects Rajasthan’s strengthened drug quality surveillance framework and is expected to increase regulatory scrutiny of pharmaceutical manufacturers supplying medicines under government procurement programmes.
Source: short-url.cc/1tkZK

3. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has notified the amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to designate Navi Mumbai as an additional port for the import of drugs under the prescribed regulatory framework. The amendment expands the list of notified ports for drug imports. The notification is expected to facilitate import operations, strengthen regulatory administration and improve logistical efficiency for pharmaceutical importers and other stakeholders engaged in the supply chain.
Source: short-url.cc/1tkZV

4. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has reportedly directed manufacturers to update the safety labels and prescribing information for several common antimicrobial drugs due to newly identified adverse reactions. The revised labels are intended to improve the safe use of these medicines by strengthening risk communication for healthcare professionals and patients, while reinforcing India’s pharmacovigilance and drug safety monitoring framework.
 Source: short-url.cc/1tk-1

5. India’s drug regulator, CDSCO, has reportedly proposed to bring mandatory registration for manufacturers and suppliers of pharmaceutical packaging materials and be governed under the Drugs Rules, 1945. A sub-committee will be set up to examine the necessity and feasibility for registered printing entities. Pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers are currently only indirectly regulated via drug manufacturers’ Schedule M vendor qualification systems, which regulators now deem inadequate to prevent misuse of genuine packaging.
Source: short-url.cc/1tk-6

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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 Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the sale, distribution and use of three skin-lightening creams after detecting dangerously high levels of mercury and lead, along with labelling violations. The action underscores stricter enforcement of safety and labelling requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Source: short-url.cc/1tgYn

2. India’s Rajasthan government has reportedly introduced a three-tier drug quality testing mechanism for medicines procured under the state’s public healthcare system due to concerns about drug quality. The enhanced measures require quality verification at multiple stages, enhanced oversight by healthcare institutions, and stricter monitoring of medicines and surgical consumables. The state has also expanded its investigation into the concerned drug manufacturer while strengthening procurement and quality assurance processes.
Source: short-url.cc/1tgWb

3. India’s Central Drug Authority, CDSCO has reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (NADFC). The partnership aims to improve cooperation in regulating pharmaceuticals and medical products. The agreement allows for sharing regulatory information, technical skills, and best practices. The agreement seeks to benefit manufacturers by creating a predictable regulatory environment and enhancing international trade.
Source: short-url.cc/1yNWW

4. India’s Telangana government is set to enforce stricter regulations for private In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centres to improve transparency, curb unethical practices and strengthen oversight of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services. The proposed measures include frequent inspections and monitoring of licensing, medicines, record maintenance, and stricter compliance with the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
Source: short-url.cc/1tgWl

5. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has opposed the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, expressing adverse effects on the functioning of private medical establishments by imposing excessive regulations and limiting autonomy. The association has urged the state government to reconsider the draft legislation and has warned of a statewide strike and boycott of government healthcare schemes if its concerns are not addressed.
Source: short-url.cc/1tgWq

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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 Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has invited stakeholder comments on the use of brand name extensions by pharmaceutical companies. The consultation follows concerns that different drugs marketed under the same established brand name may mislead consumers and create confusion regarding therapeutic use. Comments are invited until 17 July 2026.
Source: short-url.cc/1yKJk

2. India’s Madras High Court held that consignments imported as “waste paper” were in fact used plastic bottles, street sweepings, food waste making their import into India illegal under the Customs Act and Hazardous Waste Rules. The Court rejected the importers’ request to send the waste to Dubai, ruling that “re-export” means returning the waste to the country of origin, not to a third country chosen by the importer. The Court further condemned the practice of developed countries shifting hazardous waste to developing nations as “waste colonialism,” which undermines the environmental justice and threatens public health and ecological security. The Court refused permission to process or dispose of waste within India, to avoid becoming a “disposal destination” for foreign waste. The petitions were dismissed, the waste was ordered to be returned to the exporting countries within 60 days, and costs were imposed on the petitioners.
Source: short-url.cc/1yKL6

3. India’s Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued show-cause notices to private hospitals for non-compliance with the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949, including the failure to display treatment charges and patients’ rights. PMC has directed the hospitals to rectify the identified deficiencies within the prescribed timeline. The enforcement action follows inspections conducted as part of routine compliance monitoring and in response to public complaints.
Source: short-url.cc/1tdPE

4. The Indian working group on access to medicines and treatments has urged the central government to revise the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) by including newer cancer medicines and monoclonal antibodies. The group states that the current NLEM does not reflect the World Health Organization (WHO) model list of essential medicines.
Source: short-url.cc/1tdQ0

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued show cause notices to multiple food business operators for allegedly misleading claims, including the use of terms such as “fresh,” “healthy,” “natural,” “organic,” and “vegan.” The regulator has reiterated that such claims must strictly comply with the applicable labelling and advertising regulations.
Source: short-url.cc/1tdQe

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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 Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has reportedly issued a public warning against the use of three cosmetic products after laboratory testing detected excessive levels of mercury and lead, rendering them non-compliant with prescribed safety standards. The regulator has advised consumers to avoid using the affected products and has initiated appropriate regulatory action to prevent their sale and distribution. The move underscores the FDA’s continued efforts to safeguard public health by enforcing quality and safety standards for cosmetics.
Source: short-url.cc/1yGXL

2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly issued notices to energy drink brands for their misleading claims of “energy drink on product branding and labelling”. The FSSAI further states that the Food Category System under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations is not intended for product naming or labelling purposes.
Source: short-url.cc/1taa0

3. The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has urged the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) to remove AYUSH and Homeopathy provisions from the National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2026. The association contended that the proposed bill should remain confined to the regulation of modern pharmacy education and practice, stating that the inclusion of traditional systems of medicine could dilute the existing regulatory framework for pharmaceutical sciences.
Source: short-url.cc/1yGXT

4. The Maharashtra Government has introduced the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2026, to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for clinical establishments. Replacing the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949, the Bill mandates registration, prescribes minimum standards, strengthens patient rights, promotes fee transparency and establishes oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
Source: short-url.cc/1taab

5. The Jharkhand High Court has held that bhang does not fall within the definition of “cannabis (hemp)” under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The Court observed that the statutory definition covers charas, ganja, and specified cannabis preparations, but does not include bhang prepared from cannabis leaves. Accordingly, the Court ruled that the possession or sale of bhang, by itself, does not attract the penal provisions of the NDPS Act, reaffirming the distinction drawn under the statutory framework.
Source: short-url.cc/1taah

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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 Central Government has mandated the renewal every five years mandatory for registration certificates and license held by fertility clinics and semen banks and every three years for surrogacy clinics through the National Registry Portal. This renewal shall attract non-refundable fees which may be doubled in case of failure to comply. This Notification aims to streamline regular inspections and adherence to prescribed standards. Government run institutes are exempted under Notification.
Source: short-url.cc/1sSzt

2. The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released the operational guidelines for national ambulance services (NAS), 2026 to strengthen emergency medical response and standardise ambulance services across the country. The guidelines prescribe consistent standards for ambulance infrastructure, staffing, equipment, response times, digital integration, and quality assurance. The initiative aims to improve timely access to emergency care and, ensure consistent delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical services nationwide.
Source: short-url.cc/1sSzU

3. The Supreme Court has held that deficiencies or inaccuracies in mandatory Form F records under the PCPNDT Act are not mere technical lapses but significant statutory violations. Upholding criminal proceedings against a medical practitioner, the Court reaffirmed the importance of strict record-keeping to prevent sex-selection practices and ensure effective enforcement of the law.
Source: short-url.cc/1ynLe

4. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have suspended operations at two blood centres in Mumbai and Thane after inspections revealed serious regulatory violations including compromise of the quality and safety of blood collection, storage, and distribution as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
Source: short-url.cc/1ynLY

5. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty on a food manufacturer for making misleading “100% Atta Bread” and “100% Whole Wheat” claims. The Authority held that the product’s labelling and advertisements were likely to mislead consumers regarding its composition as the product contained only about 87% whole wheat flour, and such claim would give an impression to that the product is wholly composed of wheat flour, thus amounting to a misleading advertisement. The action highlights the CCPA’s continued enforcement against deceptive food labelling and misleading marketing practices to safeguard consumer interests.
Source: short-url.cc/1sSAc

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TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES 19 June

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. Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed the recall of a Schedule H prescription cough and cold medication manufactured by a leading pharmaceutical company following concerns over its public advertisement. As advertisements of Schedule H drugs are prohibited, the action highlights continued regulatory scrutiny of promotional practices for prescription medicines.
Source: short-url.cc/1sRrA

2. India plans to establish Centres of Excellence to tackle diabetes-related wounds within 2–3 years. Backed by substantial investments, these centres will integrate advanced imaging, AI-enabled monitoring, and multidisciplinary care to reduce complications like foot ulcers and amputations. These centres will also offer multiple qualified health specialists from various areas for wounds.
Source: short-url.cc/1sRrF

3. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified the amendment to the Surrogacy rules, introducing a framework for the renewal of surrogacy clinic registrations under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. The amendments prescribe the procedure, timelines, inspection requirements, and fees for renewal applications, provide for the utilisation of registration fees by appropriate authorities, and make renewed registrations valid for a further period of three years.
Source: short-url.cc/1ymC2

4. India’s central food authority, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reportedly directed Food Business Operators (FBOs) to ensure that only corrosion-resistant knives and cutting tools are used in food handling, processing, preparation, and packaging activities. FSSAI has emphasized that food-contact materials and equipment must be maintained in a hygienic condition and be made of suitable materials that do not compromise food safety. Food businesses have been advised to review their operational practices and replace non-compliant equipment to ensure adherence to applicable food safety and hygiene requirements. The advisory is aimed at minimizing the risk of physical and chemical contamination arising from rusted or deteriorating equipment coming into contact with food products.
Source: short-url.cc/1ymCb

5. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026. The amendment inserts Rules 7A and 8A, introducing a formal renewal framework for registration of Assisted Reproductive Technology clinics and banks. It prescribes renewal application procedures, a 60-day pre-expiry filing timeline, renewal fees, and review processes, while clarifying the utilization of registration fees. Renewed registrations will remain valid for five years.
Source: short-url.cc/1sRsz

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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 based company has issued a nationwide recall of its powdered infant formula after the FDA and CDC contacted the company about three infant botulism cases involving babies who had consumed its formula. The affected infants in California, Washington, and Pennsylvania were hospitalized and treated with FDA-approved treatment, with no deaths reported. No formula has tested positive for the bacteria; the recall was made as a precaution.
Source: short-url.cc/1rUTh

2. The Union Health Ministry’s decision to remove cough syrups from the Schedule K exemption may encourage a shift towards Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani remedies, particularly in rural areas where access to doctors and licensed pharmacies is limited. Industry experts expect demand for Ayush cough syrups to rise as access to conventional cough syrups require a prescription for purchase.
Source: short-url.cc/1rUTs

3. IHLD MedTech to reportedly establish a nationwide network of specialized wound-care Centers of Excellence under its Wound Heal Plus initiative. This is important as chronic and non-healing wounds, particularly among diabetic patients, remain a major healthcare challenge. The network will expand access to advanced wound management, rehabilitation, and AI-enabled patient monitoring services.
Source: short-url.cc/1rUTw

4. US FDA has approved updated safety labelling for an OTC weight-loss drug, adding warnings about rare risks of acute kidney injury and kidney stones. The change is important as it alerts consumers and healthcare providers to potential kidney complications, especially among users with kidney disease or a history of kidney stones.
Source: short-url.cc/1xn6Q

5. A recent inspection by the Telangana Medical Council has reignited discussions on the scope of practice and legality of dentists in relation to aesthetic and hair transplantation procedures. The NMC stated that only trained medical professionals should conduct these non-emergency procedures. The NDC allowed oral and maxillofacial surgeons to perform them with proper training. Furthermore, the Telangana Medical Council confirmed that dentists lack the training for such procedures.
 Source: short-url.cc/1xn6U

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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. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe issued an Order on June 12, 2026 barring hospitals, doctors, and affiliated pharmacies from compelling patients to buy medicines exclusively from in-house pharmacies. Prescriptions must be handed directly to patients which gives the patients an option to pick pharmacy of their choice. This restriction put by hospitals on the choice of the patient to purchase medicines from their choice of a pharmacy amounts to unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Further, hospitals must now display notices stating patients of their right to purchase medicines from any licensed pharmacy of their choice in English and Marathi.
Source: shortlink.uk/1xhAz

2. The Jharkhand High Court has directed a complete ban on the conduct of the “two-finger test” in all hospitals, medical colleges, and healthcare institutions across the State. Reiterating established legal and medical principles, the Court observed that the practice is unscientific, violates the dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy of survivors of sexual assault, and has no evidentiary value in determining consent or sexual history. The Court directed the concerned authorities to ensure strict compliance with existing guidelines and legal standards governing the medical examination of sexual assault survivors, while emphasizing the need for survivor-centric and trauma-informed medical care. The ruling reinforces the prohibition on the use of the test and underscores the obligation of healthcare institutions to adhere to prescribed medico-legal protocols.
Source: shortlink.uk/1xgoW

3. The Telangana Drugs Control Administration has reportedly intensified enforcement against illegal medicine distribution by raiding an unauthorized supplier of cardiac stimulant injections and an unlicensed medical shop. Authorities warned against unauthorized sales and supply of prescription medicines.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rOoZ

4. The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that strict compliance with the PCPNDT Act, 1994 is essential to prevent sex-selective practices and female foeticide. The Court held that deficiencies in mandatory records, including Form F, are not mere technical errors but substantive violations. Emphasising the Act’s objective, it observed that accurate documentation is a crucial safeguard for effective monitoring, enforcement, and prevention of unlawful sex determination practices.
Source: shortlink.uk/1xgqd

5.India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to Drugs Rules, 1945 dated June 9, 2026. The amendment removes the term “Syrups” from Item (7) under Serial No. 13 of Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945. This means that now syrups will be sold under a sales license only. Schedule K specifies certain classes of drugs and categories of persons or institutions that are exempt from specific provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules made thereunder, subject to prescribed conditions. The amendment came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rOqd

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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. Through an FIR filed by a health activist, it was found that thirty doctors from nine states were found guilty of accepting luxury foreign trips worth ₹1.9 crore from a pharma company. While 27 names were sent to the NMC, several state medical councils failed to act. The NMC has now sent reminders to State Medical Councils of Assam, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and WB to expedite action and warning it may intervene if delays persist, to ensure accountability and compliance across medical practice.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wLSY

2. India’s central government is reportedly considering to extend the customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical inputs used by the pharmaceutical industry beyond the current June 30, 2026 deadline. The proposal is being examined in view of continued supply chain disruptions and rising input costs linked to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The duty relief, originally introduced as a temporary measure in April 2026, covers several petrochemical products that serve as key raw materials and intermediates for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Government officials have indicated that an extension may be considered if prevailing conditions continue to impact the availability and cost of essential inputs.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rkQs

3. The Government is reportedly working on a proposal to strengthen the financial viability of Jan Aushadhi Kendras by revising the incentive structure, increasing retailer margins, extending credit periods, and addressing losses arising from expired inventory. Under the proposed measures, product margins for Kendra operators may be gradually increased to as much as 50%, while credit periods for retailers could be extended from 45 days to 75 days to ease working capital requirements. The plan also contemplates mechanisms for absorbing losses on expired medicines and enhancing support across the supply chain. These measures are aimed at improving inventory availability, supporting sustainable operations of Kendras, and facilitating the continued expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) network across the country.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wLTd

4. The Madras High Court has ruled in favour of a pharmaceutical innovator company in a patent infringement dispute concerning the export of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). The Court held that the defendant’s export activities were not protected under the Bolar exemption as the defendant failed to produce regulatory documentation demonstrating that the exports were solely for purposes permitted under the provision. The Court further held that a prior consent decree entered into by the defendant operated as issue estoppel, preventing it from subsequently challenging the validity of the patent. Consequently, the Court granted relief restraining the infringing activities and reaffirmed the evidentiary requirements for entities seeking to rely on the Bolar exemption for export-related activities.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wLTi

5. The Delhi High Court has issued notice in a trademark infringement and passing off suit filed by a pharmaceutical company alleging that several medicinal product marks adopted by the defendants are deceptively similar to its registered and applied-for trademarks. The plaintiff contends that the impugned marks are likely to cause confusion and deception among consumers, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector where a higher standard of care is required to avoid medication errors. Considering the plaintiff’s application for interim relief, the Court has sought a response from the defendants and directed them to file their reply within three weeks. The matter will now proceed for consideration of the plaintiff’s request for an ex-parte ad-interim injunction and other reliefs.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wLTw

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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 Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched a centralized online patient feedback system across its hospitals and dispensaries nationwide to strengthen patient-centric healthcare delivery. The digital platform enables beneficiaries to submit feedback on healthcare services received at ESIC facilities, facilitating real-time monitoring of patient experiences and service quality. The initiative will help identify service gaps, support continuous quality improvement, and strengthen the overall healthcare experience for insured persons and their dependents.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rjWU

2. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a liquor manufacturer arising from the transport of liquor consignments where authorities found two liquor cases without a valid permit and bottles bearing batch numbers different from those specified in the permit. The Court observed that the batch-number discrepancies resulted from inadvertent labelling errors by workers, with no evidence of adulteration or revenue loss to the government. Holding that only the transport of the two unpermitted liquor cases constituted an offence, the Court compounded the matter and imposed a monetary penalty, while allowing separate departmental action for licence-condition violations to continue.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wKXJ

3. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to Schedule V of the Drugs Rules, 1945, substituting the unit for folic acid from “mg” (milligram) to “mcg” (microgram). The amendment will come into force six months from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rjX4

4. The Ministry of AYUSH has amended the NCISM appointment rules to reduce the minimum experience required for appointment as Secretary to the Commission from 15 years to 7 years. The amendments also clarify that serving government officials appointed to NCISM or its Autonomous Boards will be treated as being on deputation and provide alternative provident fund coverage where General Provident Fund subscription is unavailable. This strengthens the institutional and human-resource framework of the NCISM, which oversees standards in Indian systems of medicine.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rjWU

5. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is considering raising prices of key platinum-based cancer drugs like cisplatin and carboplatin after manufacturers flagged steep increases in raw material costs, especially platinum. Authorities are balancing concerns over patient affordability with the risk of supply shortages if prices remain unchanged.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wKXQ