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 Foreign Trade regulator, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has recently issued a Trade Notice, cautioning exporters to no longer accept physical copy Certificate of Origin, and to only accept electronically issued Certificates of Origin since the deadline for using physical copies has passed on 31st December 2024.
Source: bit.ly/439cxs0
Source: bit.ly/439ayEk

2. In light of a recent international report regarding the misuse of drug combinations in various countries in the African continent, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rescinded the export license and No Objection Certificate (NoC) of a manufacturer of the said combinations.
Source: bit.ly/4353Mzp

3. India’s Supreme Court, in its recent order has expressed that the medical educational institution admission guidelines, which requires that “both hands [should be] intact” for a person suffering from a disability to gain admission to a medical educational institution, is violative of disability rights and has no basis under law.
Source: bit.ly/3QyRKH0

4. In a recent order, the High Court of Kerala has instructed the State Government to issue a circular to all Doctors in the state, requiring the preservation of foetus in case of a Medical Termination of Pregnancy of a minor, and require permission from the State Government for the destruction of said foetus.
Source: bit.ly/4bblB1L

5. The recent decision of the United State Government to terminate employment of several employees of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the possibility to cause delay in obtaining approvals and licenses from the FDA by members of the Medical Device industry.
Source: bit.ly/4hRolDN

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 Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that rape survivors can undergo medical termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks without requiring a court order. For pregnancies up to 20 weeks, a registered medical practitioner can perform the termination. This decision aims to streamline the process for survivors, reducing delays in accessing abortion services.
Source: bit.ly/4gkA5xi

2. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) have released a draft standard evaluation protocol for the performance evaluation of Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) real-time PCR kits. This protocol provides detailed procedures for testing, including preparation of hMPV RNA evaluation panels, RNA extraction, and guidelines for real-time PCR systems. It aims to ensure the quality and reliability of diagnostic kits for hMPV. Public comments are invited till March 15, 2025.
Source: bit.ly/3WGUcOW

3. India’s Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) has reportedly announced that permanent registrations for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) will be granted only to those who comply with the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. This includes verification of degrees through the respective Indian Embassies and additional internship requirements. A group of 25 FMGs has filed a writ petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court regarding this matter.
Source: bit.ly/3WEXdzv

4. Representatives from several pharmaceutical industry groups are scheduled to meet with officials from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The agenda includes discussions on the implementation of Schedule M, which sets quality standards and good manufacturing practices for pharmaceutical companies. Industry representatives, particularly from MSME pharma manufacturers, are expected to request an extension of the implementation timelines for the revised Schedule M.
Source: bit.ly/3WJDVZU

5. The US FDA has identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities in certain patient monitors used in healthcare and home settings. These monitors display critical patient information such as temperature, heartbeat, and blood pressure. The FDA warns that these vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized individuals to access and potentially manipulate the monitors, leading to improper functioning. Additionally, connected networks may be compromised, and sensitive patient data, including personally identifiable and protected health information.
Source: bit.ly/3X53S6r

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 Punjab and Haryana High Court has urged the Indian government to introduce a legislation to regulate the preservation and disposal of blood in the country. Currently, the sale and disposal of blood is governed by executive instructions issued as guidelines by Centre and State governments.
Source: bit.ly/3TSStVv

2. India’s Central Pollution Control Board has further extended the timeline for filing the Annual Returns for Plastic Packaging Waste for the FY 2023-2024 for Producers, Importers and Brand Owners with Extended Producers Responsibility Registration to 30th November 2024. Previously, this deadline had been extended from 30th June 2024 to 30th September 2024.
Source: bit.ly/3JqZRBH

3. India’s Central Drugs Control Authority may reportedly direct drug regulators across all States and Union Territories (UTs) for uniform implementation of norms for new drugs, specifically regarding the approval of gastro-resistant and delayed-release dosage forms under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial (NDCT) Rules, 2019. The 64th Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) meeting highlighted inconsistencies in the approval process for these products, which are classified as “New Drugs.”
Source: bit.ly/3XPOtq4

4. India’s Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to issue a standard operating procedure (SOP) for Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and doctors regarding the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) for timely abortions and proper implementation of existing laws.
Source: bit.ly/47MSBvk

5. India’s National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Human Organ Transportation by various modes like air, ambulance/ other vehicle, Trains, etc. The SOP includes standardized packaging, mandatory labelling with detailed donor and recipient information, handling of organ box and requirement of a medical personnel to accompany the organs along with necessary documentation.
Source: bit.ly/3BovUBR

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. Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers will have to prove compliance with revised Good Manufacturing Practices at the time of renewal of manufacturing license, as per media reports.
Source: bit.ly/3MAGjg9

2. A woman who has filed for divorce should be treated as a divorced woman for the purposes of medical termination of pregnancy, and therefore will have the right to terminate her pregnancy: High Court
Source: bit.ly/4fNDhT7

3. The Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts (MDC), which advises the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), will invite an officer not below the rank of Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs, to evaluate eligibility for exemption of patented drug from application of price control law.
Source: bit.ly/46Ya8jY

4. A new scheme to boost domestic medical device industry in India is under works and will reportedly be launched in a month.
Source: bit.ly/4fUqrSU

5. A new portal for reporting adverse events of drugs, vaccines and medical devices has been launched by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission. The adverse event may be reported by consumers and medical practitioners.
Source: bit.ly/4dxeUXY