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 Bombay High Court granted an ad-interim injunction in favour of major drug manufacturer in a trademark dispute involving the marks “ASCORIL” and “ASCOTRAL.” The Court found the marks are visually and phonetically similar and likely to confuse consumers. The confusion in medicinal products could have serious health consequences. The Court restrained the defendant from using the mark.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pUOw
2. The Delhi High Court granted summary judgment in a trademark infringement suit involving protein supplement products, holding that the impugned marks ‘PROTEX’ and ‘PROTRILEX’ were deceptively similar to a long-standing registered mark. Observing structural, visual, and phonetic similarity, the Court permanently restrained use of the impugned marks and reiterated strong judicial protection for established healthcare and nutrition brands.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pUOD
3. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has reportedly signed memoranda of understanding with the Bihar, Maharashtra and Mizoram State Pharmacy Councils to strengthen pharmacovigilance, promote rational use of medicines, and enhance patient safety initiatives across states. The initiative focuses on wider adoption of the National Formulary of India (NFI), strengthening adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), establishing ADR Monitoring Centres, and conducting pharmacist training and awareness programmes.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vgVQ
4. Delhi High Court, while deciding a trademark infringement case involving CALPOL and WALPOL, declared CALPOL, a well-known trademark in relation to medicinal and pharmaceutical product under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 citing its decades-long use, strong consumer recognition, and extensive nationwide sales. The Court held that WALPOL was deceptively similar and capable of misleading consumers in the pharmaceutical market.
Source: shortlink.uk/1vgVT
5. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized a large consignment of Captagon tablets and powder, a banned psychotropic stimulant, under Operation RAGEPILL and arrested a foreign national allegedly linked to an international drug trafficking syndicate. The operation marks India’s first Captagon seizure and underscores intensified enforcement against transnational synthetic drug trafficking networks.
Source: shortlink.uk/1pUOR