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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 issued draft amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, proposing mandatory blue vertical strip on the left side running throughout the body of the label on all antimicrobial drugs and their preparations. The move aims to enhance identification and promote responsible antimicrobial use, with stakeholder comments invited within thirty days.
Source: h7.cl/1iBM0

2. The Kerala High Court has ruled that the title “Doctor” is not exclusive to medical doctors and can be used by physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The Court held that neither the NMC Act nor state law grants doctors an exclusive right over the “Dr.” prefix, which traditionally denotes advanced learning.
Source: h7.cl/1nBW7

3. India’s ministry of consumer affairs has notified amendments to the Legal Metrology Rules, tightening standards for manual blood pressure devices. Effective January 7, 2026, the rules set stricter accuracy limits, ban unsafe connectors, and mandate durability, safety, and environmental stress testing. Manufacturers must update design, labelling, and documentation, and obtain fresh model approvals to continue selling these devices in the Indian market.
Source: h7.cl/1nBWi

4. India’s Bombay High Court has quashed a prosecution after finding serious delays in drug sample analysis beyond the mandatory 60-day limit prescribed under the Drugs Rules. The Court made strong observations regarding the laxity of the Drugs Department, holding that such lapses endanger public health by allowing sub-standard drugs to circulate.
Source: h7.cl/1iBMQ

5. The Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association has formally complained to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) alleging that Jan Aushadi Kendras across the state are violating scheme guidelines by selling locally procured patented and generic medicines and operating multiple licences per individual. PMBI has confirmed such local sourcing is prohibited and attracts disciplinary action.
Source: h7.cl/1nBWD

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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 released a draft guidance document outlining regulatory pathways, quality standards, and risk management requirements for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and Software in a Medical Device (SiMD). Stakeholders are requested to submit feedback within 30 days.
Source: h7.cl/1iyvi

2. India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, to exempt medical devices from the standard packaging declaration requirements. Packages containing medical devices will adhere to the Medical Devices Rules for height and width of numerals and letters used in declarations. This amendment will ensure regulatory consistency and eliminate duplication of compliance requirements.
Source: h7.cl/1iyuq

3. The Health Ministry has issued draft amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, proposing that oral formulations with over 12% v/v ethyl alcohol and packed in bottles over 30 ml will be excluded from Schedule K and included in Schedule H1 for prescription-only sale. Stakeholders are requested to submit comments within 30 days.
Source: h7.cl/1dNdh

4. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has amended the list of “White Category” of industries, which are exempted from air pollution consent requirements. Now the list includes 86 non-polluting sectors, such as food packaging, small bakeries, etc. to simplify compliance, especially for MSMEs.
Source: h7.cl/1dNcN

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued an order introducing a dedicated “seasonal food business” registration category in the FoSCoS portal. Effective from August 01, 2025, the provision allows retailers and food vending agencies at fairs and festivals to register for up to three months by paying a ₹100 fee.
Source: h7.cl/1dNdx

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on regulatory compliances associated with GST rate reduction of medicines in India

On September 03, 2025, The Goods & Services Tax Council has announced the reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates for medicines. The reduced GST rates will come into effect on September 22, 2025. In this article, we have answered frequently asked questions (FAQs) about compliance associated with the reduction in GST rates for medicines (other than ayurveda and homeopathy medicines).

[If you are short on time, please read response to Q.3 and 4]

GST reduction and its impact on existing stock

1. Will the reduced GST rates apply to stock of medicines already present in the market, and if so, will the MRP of such medicines have to be reduced?

Yes. The reduced GST rates will apply to all the stock of medicines already present in the market on or after September 22, 2025, irrespective of the fact that it was manufactured, imported or packed prior to September 22, 2025.

The MRP of the medicines available in the market on or after September 22, 2025 will have to be reduced to reflect the reduction in GST rates, and the reduced MRP along with the revised GST rates applicable to medicines will have to be communicated by the manufacturers and importers of medicines to all wholesale and retail dealers. However, the MRP declared on the package of medicines need not be re-labelled or re-stickered. We have discussed this aspect in our response to Q. 5-9 below.

2. Is it possible to retain same MRP on medicines present in the market after reducing GST?

No. While it is generally permissible to increase MRP of medicines by up to 10% in India if they are not essential medicines (i.e. if they are not scheduled formulations under DPCO), doing so for stock of medicines which were manufactured or imported prior to September 22, 2025 may tantamount to denying trade and customers the benefit of reduction of GST, which is not permissible under India’s GST laws and is generally regarded as unlawful ‘profiteering’.
 
Compliances to be undertaken on account of reduction in GST rate

3. Which mandatory compliances should a manufacturer or importer of medicines undertake before September 22, 2025 to ensure compliance with applicable laws?

Manufacturers and importers of medicines should circulate a revised price list of medicines manufactured or imported or marketed by the company in Form V of DPCO to wholesale and retail dealers, State Drug Controllers, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), indicating revised GST rates and the revised MRP effective from September 22, 2025. The revised price list may be circulated through any suitable communication channel, including WhatsApp and email.

4. Which mandatory compliances should be undertaken by a manufacturer or importer of medicines on or after September 22, 2025 to ensure compliance with applicable laws?

Manufacturers and importers of medicines should undertake the following steps as soon as possible on or after September 22, 2025, in addition to declaring reduced MRP on package:

  • Submit the revised price list in Form V of DPCO on the IPDMS portal of NPPA, on or before October 6, 2025.
  • File Form II of DPCO to report a decrease in MRP on IPDMS Portal of NPPA, on or before October 6, 2025, applicable only if the medicine is part of list of scheduled formulations under DPCO.

    • Re-labelling of existing stock of medicines with revised MRP

5. Is it mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of medicines available with wholesale and retail dealers, which have been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025?

No. It is not mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of medicines available with wholesale and retail dealers which are manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025.

However, all such medicines manufactured in India or imported into India on or after September 22, 2025 must declare reduced MRP on their label.

6. Is it mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of medicines stored at manufacturer’s or importer’s warehouse, which have been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025?

No. It is not mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of medicines stored at manufacturer’s or importer’s warehouse, which have been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025 provided the compliance described in response to Q. 3 have been taken.

However, if a manufacturer or importer of medicines wishes to voluntarily declare reduced MRP on the label of medicines, then the compliances described in response to Q. 7, 8 and 9 should be followed.

It is recommended that the unsold stock of medicines stored at manufacturers or importer’s warehouse should be re-labelled with reduced MRP before sale to trade, in order to reduce risk of allegation of overcharging or profiteering due to failure of retailer to sell at reduced MRP despite being notified by the manufacturer or importer about the reduction of MRP.

7. Is any permission required to re-label medicines with reduced MRP on account of reduction of GST?

Yes. While there is a prevailing understanding that all State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) in India have temporarily relaxed the requirement to obtain a manufacturing license or NOC by the manufacturers or importers for declaring reduced MRPs on medicines manufactured or imported by them before September 22, 2025, it may be pragmatic to confirm this understanding locally with the SLA of the State in which re-labelling is sought to be carried out before doing the re-labelling.

For example, in Delhi, it is mandatory for manufacturers and importers to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Delhi Drug Control Department prior to declaring reduced MRP on the label of medicines on account of revision of GST and no time-limit has been specified before which such re-labeling may be carried out on the label of medicines.

Please note that the re-labelling to reflect reduced MRP on account of reduction in GST is subject to conditions which are discussed in response to Q. 8 and Q.9 below.

8. If a manufacturer or importer wishes to declare revised MRP on medicines which were manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025 and whose stock is available with wholesale and retail dealers or is present in manufacturer’s or importer’s warehouse, what are the legal compliances that such manufacturer or importer should be aware of?

Assuming the manufacturer or importer has complied with the mandatory requirements outlined in response to Q. 3 and 7 above, it may lawfully declare revised MRP by re-labeling medicines which have been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025, after fulfilling the below-mentioned conditions:

  • The original MRP must remain visible, and the revised MRP must not be overwritten on it.
  • Other declarations on the label should not be affected.
  • The stocks should be re-called in a phased manner to avoid any shortage of the medicines in the market.

9. What are the permitted ways of declaring reduced MRP on the pack of medicines on account of reduction in GST?

Assuming the manufacturer or importer has complied with the mandatory requirements outlined in response to Q. 3, 7 and 8, the manufacturers and importers of medicines may declare reduced MRP on pack of medicines by stamping or affixing stickers or by printing.
Compliances applicable to wholesale and retail dealers

10. How are wholesale and retail dealers expected to know the revised GST rate and reduced MRP applicable to medicines stocked by them, if the stock of medicines available with them does not carry on the label a declaration of reduced MRP as of September 22, 2025?

As indicated in response to Q. 3, all manufacturers and importers of medicines are required to notify wholesale and retail dealers about revised GST rates and reduced MRP latest by September 21, 2025 by circulating a revised price list in Form V which is effective from September 22, 2025.

Accordingly, on or after September 22, 2025, all wholesale and retail dealers of the medicines must refer to the revised price list received from the manufacturer or importers of medicines before selling stock of medicines in their possession.

11. What are the compliances applicable to wholesale and retail dealers who have stock of medicines manufactured in India or imported into India prior to September 22, 2025?

On or after September 22, 2025, all wholesale and retail dealers must:

  • Sell medicines at reduced MRP after applying revised GST rates;
  • Verify the revised GST rate and reduced MRP against the revised price list in Form V received from the manufacturer or importer of medicines;
  • Display the revised price lists of medicines received from the manufacturers or importers on a conspicuous part of the premises where they carry on business; and
  • Not alter, tamper, over-sticker or re-label the existing product packaging.

    Penalties for non-compliance

    • 12. What are the consequences of failure to circulate revised price list in Form V to wholesale and retail dealers before September 22, 2025?

    The failure to circulate Form V before September 22, 2025 may result in recovery of the difference between old MRP and revised MRP from the manufacturer or importer of medicines as ‘overcharging’, along with interest and penalty, even though overcharged amount has been realized by the wholesale dealer or retail dealer.

    The failure to submit Form V on the IPDMS portal on or before October 6, 2025 will constitute a violation of DPCO and may lead to penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 including fine and imprisonment.

    13. What are the consequences of non-submission of Form II of DPCO before October 6, 2025?

    Non-submission of Form II of DPCO is deemed to be a failure to reduce MRP of medicines by the manufacturer or importer despite reduction in GST rates. The manufacturer or importer may be held liable for overcharging consumers and be required to pay the overcharged amount, along with interest and a penalty. It may also result in criminal prosecution under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, inviting fine and imprisonment if convicted. Form II is required to be submitted only in case of reduction of MRP of medicines which are classified as scheduled formulations under DPCO.

    Requirement for obtaining a manufacturing license or NOC from State Licensing Authority for re-labelling

    14. Will declaration of reduced MRP on packages of medicines be considered to be “manufacturing” and require a manufacturing license or NOC from State Licensing Authority or CDSCO?

    The re-labelling of a medicine may be legally construed as manufacture of medicine under The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (D&C Act), and such manufacturing activity requires a license from the Licensing Authority under D&C Act. The Licensing Authority in case of manufacturing of medicines in India is the respective State Licensing Authority i.e. SLA (for example – State Drug Control Department, State Food and Drug Administration). Such a license is require from SLA irrespective of whether the drug is manufactured in India or imported into India,

    As indicated in response to Q. 7, the possibility and time-limit for carrying out the re-labelling of medicines with reduced MRP should be checked locally with the respective SLA in each state where the re-labelling is sought to be carried out prior to undertaking re-labelling.

    Disclaimer: This article contains personal views of the authors and should not be considered as legal advice.

    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 ruled against the notification issued by ministry of environment that had initially exempted educational institutions, industrial sheds, and hostels from mandatory environmental clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment 2006 regime. The court affirmed that projects over 20,000 sqm must now obtain prior approval typically from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
    Source: short-link.me/1aM5s

    2. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has reaffirmed that all WHO-GMP (COPP) applications must be submitted exclusively via the ONDLS portal by August 15, 2025. No further extensions will be granted for physical submissions beyond this date.
    Source: short-link.me/16m-3

    3. The Union Health Minister informed Parliament that India does not maintain central data on medical negligence cases. States handle such cases individually under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019. Calls for centralized tracking were raised, but the government emphasized health is a State subject with existing regulatory mechanisms.
    Source: short-link.me/16m-d

    4. India’s Department of Consumer Affairs has released draft rules for “Clinical Electrical Thermometers for Continuous Measurement” under the Legal Metrology Act. The draft rules outline metrological, technical, safety, and labelling standards, along with performance limits, testing methods, and manufacturer obligations. Stakeholder comments are invited by August 30, 2025.
    Source: short-link.me/16m-f

    5. The Mumbai CESTAT ruled that orthopaedic appliances and implants qualify for customs duty exemption under Serial No. 578, clarifying it covers assistive devices, rehabilitation aids, and goods for disabled persons. The tribunal interpreted the notification broadly and stated that the exemption applies to implants as assistive or rehabilitation aids, and not meant solely for disability use.
    Source: short-link.me/1aM5T

    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 Allahabad High Court recently ruled that a Food Business Operator cannot be held liable for ingredients purchased in sealed packets from a licensed manufacturer with a proper invoice, even if they are found to be unsafe. The court clarified that liability for unsafe products rests with the manufacturer or distributor.
    Source: bit.ly/4hAlyip

    2. India’s Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2025 thereby relaxing the requirement to make labelling declarations at one place on the principal display panel (PDP) for the packages containing medical devices. Currently, all declarations are required to be made at one place on the PDP. The draft is open for public comments till 12th March 2025.
    Source: bit.ly/40UsX4R

    3. India’s Intellectual Property (IP) Office has issued a draft Guidelines for processing patent applications related to AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The guidelines aim to provide clarity to the filing and processing patent applications of Ayush systems and related inventions. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback by February 28, 2025.
    Source: bit.ly/3WZjWXa

    4. India’s National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the ceiling prices of antibiotics Azithromycin and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013. The revisions account for a 0.00551% impact from the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for 2024.
    Source:  bit.ly/3EBV7u4

    5. Jammu and Kashmir’s Health Department had issued clear directives to ensure compliance with the prescription guidelines. However, doctors in government hospital have continued to disregard these guidelines thereby imposing a significant financial burden on the patients. Under these guidelines, doctors are required to write prescriptions in legible capital letters along with their name, designation and signatures.
    Source: bit.ly/40YI1yl

    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 Ministry of Consumer Affairs has set a timeline for compliance with amendments to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Changes to labelling provisions will be enforced on either January 1st or July 1st, after a minimum 180-day transition period from notification. The revised rules mandate clear, legible, and standardized labels on packaged goods, ensuring consumers have key details such as net quantity, MRP, manufacturing date, country of origin, and manufacturer information. This move is aimed at enhancing consumer protection, business ease, and reducing compliance burdens for industry stakeholders.
    Source: bit.ly/3CxjgRQ

    2. The Supreme Court of India ruled that domicile-based reservation for postgraduate medical admissions under State Quotas violates the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. However, the Court clarified that the judgment will not impact existing domicile reservations or affect students currently studying or who have already graduated under such categories.
    Source: bit.ly/4juOHwG

    3. India’s Central medical devices regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a draft standard In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) evaluation protocol to evaluate the quality and performance of IVD’s. The protocol once approved will be used by IVD manufacturers testing labs in India. Public comments are invited on the draft standard before March 15, 2025.
    Source: bit.ly/3QhIAyF

    4. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has confirmed the addition of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to the country’s Universal Immunization Program (UIP), a major step in preventing cervical cancer, which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. While the vaccine’s inclusion in the UIP has been officially announced, the exact timeline for its roll-out has yet to be determined. The move aims to combat cervical cancer by offering free vaccination to girls aged 9-14 years.
    Source: bit.ly/3WHhkgp

    5. China has approved its first stem cell therapy for commercial use, despite mixed clinical trial results. The therapy is intended for patients with neurological disorders, including spinal cord injuries. The approval has raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, as the trials showed only limited evidence of efficacy, and there are calls for more rigorous oversight in stem cell-based treatments.
    Source: bit.ly/3WI0Uoa

    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 regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a advisory to e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to ensure that: (1) Last-mile delivery systems are made more robust, and persons handling last-mile delivery are given suitable training to handle the food items, and (2) The e-commerce FBOs are compliant with the labelling requirements as specified in relevant regulations, keeping the listings on the website consistent with content of actual food label.
    Source: bit.ly/4f0zEaA

    2. India’s Ministry of Finance has published an Office Memorandum seeking public comment up to the 10th of December, on certain amendments to the prevailing insurance regulations in the country. These proposed amendments include among other things, permitting a 100% Foreign Direct Investment in the insurance sector through the automatic-route, and permitting insurers to undertake offer of more than one class of insurance.
    Source: bit.ly/4ifYwxT

    3. India’s Central Ministry of Consumer Affairs is reportedly developing an online portal to handle the licensing, verification and stamping of weighing and measurement instruments as well as to provide a source of information on verified trade instruments for consumers.
    Source: bit.ly/41km5Q6

    4. The High Court of the States of Punjab and Haryana held that outside of introduction of evidence to the effect, the mere failure of a medical surgery/ procedure would itself not be sufficient to establish medical negligence claims, especially if the patient had been appropriately sensitized of the risks involved.
    Source: bit.ly/49nlkrJ

    5. In its finalized version of the regulations regarding Pre-determined Change Control Plans, the US Food and Drug Administration has plainly classified Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a sub-set of Machine Learning softwares when it comes to regulation of Medical Devices, and further makes it mandatory that in making submissions the version of the device software need to be submitted with the FDA to ensure version control.
    Source: bit.ly/4imQQu2

    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 Supreme Court of India has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking quality regulation for “prasad” food items distributed at religious places, stating that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) already oversees food safety standards.
    Source: bit.ly/4eYIJAX

    2. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Delhi has ordered a compensation of Rs. 48 lakhs against a hospital and its doctors for performing surgery without the necessary expertise and proper disease assessment. The commission found that the medical professionals manipulated records to obscure the actual causes of the complications, which constituted medical misconduct and negligence.
    Source: bit.ly/4iiLHTM

    3. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has issued draft rules for clinical electrical thermometers, inviting feedback from stakeholders by December 30, 2024. The draft rules provides technical standards of clinical electrical thermometers to ensure the accurate measurement of body temperature is recorded in clinical settings.
    Source: bit.ly/3CVrjYs

    4. India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has designated packaged drinking water and mineral water as “High-Risk Food Categories” after the removal of mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for these products. This decision will now require the manufacturers to undergo annual risk-based inspections and third-party audits before obtaining licenses or registrations.
    Source: bit.ly/4i8DO3b

    5. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has released draft rules for non-invasive automated sphygmomanometers, inviting comments from stakeholders by December 30, 2024. The draft rules aim to establish regulatory standards for the measurement of blood pressure using these devices. The scope of the draft includes specifications for the design, performance, and testing methods required to ensure accuracy and reliability in clinical settings.
    Source: bit.ly/3OC0Ku6

    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.

    1. A leading pharmaceutical association reportedly has urged the Indian government to implement a predictable drug pricing policy by refraining from using Para 19 of the Drug Pricing Control Order, which gives power to the Government to cap prices of non-essential drugs and medical devices in public interest without advance notice.
    Source: bit.ly/4dw7a8j

    2. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has held that doctors who have qualification of M.B.B.S, M.D. (medicine) are sufficiently qualified to treat ICU patients without requiring additional specialized intensive care training since no such training has been prescribed by National Medical Commission.
    Source: bit.ly/3Yts4kh

    3. Australia has approved the medical use of MDMA (Methylene Dioxy Methyl Amphetamine) and psilocybin for treating PTSD and depression. The drugs will be available under strict regulations, with treatments costing between A$15,000 and A$30,000, and with no current insurance coverage.
    Source: bit.ly/46CttHg

    4. India’s Central Food regulator, (FSSAI) has reintroduced restriction on re-using cooking oil that has developed total polar compounds (TPC) of more than 25% by adding fresh oil. Any cooking oil that has 25% or more content of TPC is not permitted to be used.
    Source: bit.ly/4d8pvIT

    5. India’s Department of Consumer Affairs has extended the last date for receiving public comments on the proposed amendment of rule 3 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodity) Rules, 2011 to 30th August 2024. The proposed amendment aims to close loopholes and ensure that all bulk packages are labelled clearly and consistently, just like retail products.
    Source: bit.ly/4dgRE0n

    Posted on

    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