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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

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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 Directorate General of Foreign Trade(DGFT), issued a Public Notice dated 1 June 2026 and has notified six new Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) under the Chemical and Allied Product Group for specified pharmaceutical products. The notification enables Regional Authorities to grant Advance Authorisations without case-specific referrals to the Norms Committee, thereby reducing processing timelines, ensuring uniformity in approvals, and promoting ease of doing business for pharmaceutical exporters.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q-yS

2. The Delhi High Court directed CDSCO to review safety concerns over semaglutide injections within two months. A patient petition claims that manual calculation of dosage deviates from global pre-filled pen standards, risking overdose, underdose, and misuse. CDSCO must determine if approval aligns with patient safety and international practices.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q-xi

3. The Indian government is reportedly drafting new organ transplant rules to introduce Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) and strengthen frameworks for organ swaps and brain-stem death donations. The proposed reforms aim to expand the donor pool, standardise transplant procedures, and improve access to life-saving organ transplants.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q-z5

4. The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held that obtaining a patient’s signature on a pre-printed consent form without adequately disclosing the nature of the procedure, associated risks, possible complications, and available alternatives does not constitute valid informed consent. The Commission observed that a mere signature on a standardised form cannot satisfy a doctor’s duty of disclosure and ruled that failure to obtain proper informed consent amounts to a deficiency in service. While the Commission found no evidence of medical negligence in the performance of the surgery or post-operative care, it held the medical practitioner liable for not securing valid informed consent and awarded compensation.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q-za

5. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has directed pharmaceutical manufacturers to establish and maintain pharmacovigilance systems in line with revised Schedule M requirements. Companies must maintain dedicated adverse reaction monitoring mechanisms, appoint qualified pharmacovigilance officers and keep detailed records, with compliance subject to regulatory inspections.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q-xq

Posted on

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 authority, FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026 which introduces revised official logo specifications for approved vegan food products, replacing the 2022 framework. Mandating the updated logo on all approved packages, the new requirements will take effect from July 1, 2027, offering businesses a transition period for packaging updates.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qVzx

2. The Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, allowing importers to make mandatory declarations at bonded warehouses of Tier-2 and Tier-3 Authorised Economic Operators. The amendments also require disclosure of the director responsible for violations, mandate annual updates of registration details, and clarify that registration certificates will remain valid until cancelled.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qVzz

3. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched a centralized online patient feedback system across its hospitals and dispensaries to strengthen patient-centric healthcare delivery and improve service quality. The digital platform enables beneficiaries to submit feedback on various aspects of healthcare services, including medical care, staff behaviour, cleanliness, waiting time, and overall patient experience. The initiative aims to facilitate real-time monitoring of patient satisfaction, enhance accountability, and support timely resolution of grievances.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wkLy

4. The Delhi High Court has allowed pharmaceutical company to continue selling its cancer drug Bevatas, overturning an earlier order. The court ruled that Bevatas and Bevetex are sufficiently distinct in appearance, pronunciation and use, making consumer confusion unlikely and permitting continued sales.
Source: shortlink.uk/1wkLD

5. The National Medical Commission has issued an advisory directing all medical colleges to mandatorily implement safe injection practices, including exclusive use of sterile single-use needles and syringes, strict infection prevention measures, proper biomedical waste disposal, periodic staff training, and prompt reporting of needle-stick injuries to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV).
Source: shortlink.uk/1wkLF

Posted on

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 Supreme Court has held that access to trauma care is a fundamental right under Article 21, directing all States and UTs to unify emergency helplines under 112, establish trauma registries, operationalise cashless treatment for road accident victims, and enforce ambulance tracking standards within set timelines. The ruling significantly expands constitutional obligations on healthcare infrastructure, emergency services, insurers, and public health governance across India. It also needs to have physical and digital grievance redressal systems for good samaritans. This classification is not restricted to national highways but extends to state highways and district roads too.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qB9n

2. The government has reportedly referred 27 doctors to the National Medical Commission (NMC) for disciplinary action in connection with a pharmaceutical freebies case involving sponsored foreign trips under the guise of rendering of knowledge dissemination service. The matter relates to alleged acceptance of luxury travel and hospitality benefits linked to pharmaceutical promotional activities, with State Medical Councils now expected to examine the cases pursuant to violation of MCI Code of Ethics. The development intensifies scrutiny around pharma-doctor engagement practices, and enforcement of professional conduct regulations within the healthcare sector.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vZFF

3. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated regulatory action against unauthorized online sale of hazardous chemicals like ammonium nitrate, PETN, gun powder, and picric acid. Notices were issued to e-commerce platforms, seller details shared with PESO, and platforms began delisting products to ensure consumer safety and compliance
Source: shortlink.uk/1vZFK

4. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly focusing on contamination control infrastructure, particularly Air Handling Unit (AHU) filter maintenance systems, to support compliance with revised Schedule M requirements. Industry experts note that heightened regulatory expectations around hygiene, traceability, cross-contamination prevention, and cleanroom maintenance are driving interest in automated AHU filter cleaning and maintenance technologies.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vZFU

5. Government of India is reportedly planning to launch a dedicated childhood cancer registry which aims to systematically collect data on cancer cases in children in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). India records around seventy-five thousand new cancer cases annually, many detected late. The government plans awareness, data collection, and collaborations to improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qB8R

Posted on

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.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has placed Pregabalin under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, amid concerns over its rising misuse for sedative, euphoric, and dissociative effects, particularly among youth. The move seeks to strengthen regulatory control by restricting over-the-counter access and ensuring sale only against valid prescriptions with stricter monitoring and record-keeping requirements.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8d

India’s Madras High Court ruled that a mother need not undergo DNA testing to donate a kidney to her son when official records establish their biological relationship. The court set aside the transplant approval rejection and directed authorities to permit the donation immediately. This humanitarian interpretation reinforces that documentation standards should prioritise life saving procedures over rigid procedural requirements, potentially influencing future authorization committee decisions on donor recipient relationships.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8z

India’s central food authority is moving towards a centralised food surveillance system deploying third party agencies for sample collection, centralised laboratory testing, and digital alerts for faster regulatory action. The framework requires 50% of samples from organised supply chains. The shift signals a technology driven overhaul of food safety governance, raising compliance and traceability expectations for manufacturers, retailers, and supply chain operators.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8l

4. Global pharmaceutical companies are increasingly shifting high-value clinical research, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, and innovation-led functions to India as the country evolves from a low-cost outsourcing destination into a strategic global research and development hub. The shift could accelerate investments in clinical research infrastructure, advanced therapies, AI-enabled drug development, and specialised talent while strengthening India’s competitiveness as a global life sciences and biotech hub.
Source: shortlink.uk/1qk9u

5. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected allegations of monopoly and excessive pricing against 12 private hospitals in Delhi, ruling that higher prices alone do not prove abuse of dominance. The regulator found hospitals operated within competition norms, allowed external procurement, and charged within MRP, dismissing decade-long complaints.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vI8q

Posted on

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 Department of Consumer Affairs has clarified that customary units such as inches, feet, yards and square feet may be used only as supplementary declarations alongside standard SI units under the Legal Metrology framework. The clarification aims to ensure uniformity in trade practices while preventing misleading or ambiguous quantity declarations for consumers.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vwL3

2. FSSAI plans to centralize food surveillance by separating sampling from enforcement, reducing state officers’ discretionary powers. Neutral agencies will collect samples, with results uploaded to a national database for quick alerts. This aims to enhance transparency, consistency, and consumer safety while ensuring enforcement remains with state authorities.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vwJ8

3. The Supreme Court has directed Delhi authorities to urgently frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ensuring private hospitals built on concessional government land provide free treatment to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) patients, addressing widespread non-compliance with the mandate of reserving 10% inpatient beds and 25% outpatient services.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q97l

4. The CDSCO has directed state and Union Territory drug regulators to closely monitor surrogate advertising and promotional activities related to prescription GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity and metabolic disorders. The regulator has cautioned against indirect promotional practices, including disease-awareness campaigns and digital outreach, that could influence public demand for prescription-only medicines. The move signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of marketing, distribution, and promotion, and may also lead to stricter compliance expectations for pharmaceutical companies, digital platforms, wellness clinics, and marketers involved.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q96J

5. The Indian Council of Medical Research (“ICMR”) has introduced a single-window approval mechanism for medical research studies, replacing the earlier fragmented process requiring approvals from multiple ethics committees and institutions. The framework is intended to streamline ethics clearances, reduce procedural delays, and accelerate approvals for multicentric and collaborative research projects.
The development is significant for India’s clinical research ecosystem as it is expected to improve regulatory efficiency, transparency, and coordination in study approvals.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q96K

Posted on

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 Kerala High Court has held that registered medical practitioners cannot enrol in another profession, including law, without first cancelling their medical registration, observing that mere cessation of medical practice or cancellation of a clinic licence is insufficient. The ruling reinforces restrictions on simultaneous professional practice and clarifies enrolment eligibility requirements under legal and medical professional frameworks.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vtU9

2. Maharashtra plans to replace the Bombay Nursing Homes Act, 1949 with the Clinical Establishment Act, 2025, mandating registration of all healthcare facilities. Defaulters face heavy fines and imprisonment. The law requires transparent fee display, standardized rates, and treatment protocols, though medical associations criticize it as burdensome.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q6ni

3. India is reportedly planning to establish a national registry to track implantable medical devices and the patients receiving them, with the objective of strengthening post-market surveillance, traceability, and patient safety oversight. The proposed framework is expected to cover devices such as cardiac stents, pacemakers, orthopaedic implants, and other high-risk medical devices through a centralised digital monitoring mechanism. The move marks a significant regulatory shift by increasing accountability, improving adverse event monitoring.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vtUh

4. India is reportedly planning to introduce DNA-based testing mechanism to bolster oversight of buffalo meat shipments and identify any illegal mixing of cow meat in export consignments. The initiative seeks to improve traceability across the meat export supply chain, address product authenticity concerns flagged by importing nations, and tighten adherence to export compliance norms. The development points to a broader regulatory push to align India’s meat export ecosystem with rising global standards on food safety and quality assurance. It is likely to raise the compliance bar for exporters, testing laboratories, and processing units operating in this space.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q6nz

5. India’s pharmaceutical industry is reportedly witnessing financial pressure from rising raw material and operational costs alongside weakening export demand in key overseas markets. The combined impact is squeezing profit margins and disrupting growth momentum for drug manufacturers already navigating pricing controls and global market volatility.
Source: shortlink.uk/1q6nJ