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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. General insurers are reportedly urging the Indian Finance Ministry to exempt commissions on health insurance from the 18% GST and reinstate input tax credit (ITC), arguing that commissions part of procurement costs should be treated like reinsurance commissions. Without relief, premiums could increase by ₹3-5 per ₹100 cover, hitting India’s ₹40-50k crore retail health insurance market.
Source: short-url.org/1antS

2. India’s Supreme Court has allowed Major Electronics company to be exempted from customs duty on its G Watch W7 imports from South Korea, even though it was classified under the higher duty category (CTH 8517). The court held that a certificate of origin from a country with which India has a full customs duty exemption agreement is sufficient to claim such exemption.
Source: short-url.org/1anu0

3. India’s Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has issued a notice classifying “conversion therapy” as a professional misconduct. It warned that doctors attempting to alter a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity will face strict disciplinary action, including suspension or cancellation of their medical license, reinforcing ethical practice and safeguarding LGBTQIA+ rights across the medical community.
Source: short-url.org/1anvQ

4. Private hospitals in India are locking horns with insurers over reimbursement rates and delayed settlements as medical inflation surges. Some renowned hospitals have suspended cashless services in August. Policyholders are bearing the financial burden amid this impasse.
Source: short-url.org/1anuR

5. The Supreme Court ruled that under the NDPS Act, failure to produce the bulk of seized contraband at trial doesn’t fail the prosecution’s case, provided inventory, sample-drawing and forensic report are properly documented. The court emphasized that only in exceptional cases, where procedural breach undermines the case’s core, should retrial be ordered.
Source: short-url.org/1anv0

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 District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad has ordered a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to a patient after cardiologists at a local hospital made the patient undergo multiple procedures in one go without understanding the need for multiple procedures, and failed to follow standard protocols during treatment. The commission determined that the doctor’s negligence led to significant complications, proving a deficiency of service which was against patient safety and care.
Source: bit.ly/3VufMps

2. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released comprehensive guidelines to identify and prevent the admission of fake patients in medical colleges, a practice that undermines patient care and ethical standards. The guidelines highlight red flags such as unusually high admissions on inspection days, absence of significant medical conditions, and lack of necessary investigations. Institutions found engaging in this unethical practice may face stringent penalties, including hefty fines and restrictions on student admissions.
Source: bit.ly/4iDw5ua

3. India is set to introduce “nafithromycin”, the first indigenous macrolide antibiotic, pending final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This innovative antibiotic, which is ten times more effective than azithromycin, offers a rapid three-day treatment for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacteria, marking a significant advancement in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Source: bit.ly/4f4vuP6

4. The Indian government is intensifying efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, targeting 347 high-focus districts across 33 states and Union territories. A 100-day TB elimination campaign will be launched by the Union Health ministry in this regard to enhance case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve treatment outcomes, particularly among high-risk groups.
Source: bit.ly/49qNnXb

5. The USFDA is considering a ban on Red 3, a synthetic food dye linked to potential health risks, including cancer and behavioural issues in children. This decision follows increasing public pressure and legislative actions in several states, including California, which has already prohibited the dye in food products. The FDA aims to act on a petition to revoke Red 3’s authorization in the coming weeks, reflecting growing concerns over food safety standards in the U.S.
Source: bit.ly/3Vvxed0