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 Food authority (FSSAI) has extended the validity of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) granted to imported alcoholic beverages bottled at origin or in bulk with over 10% alcohol content and with no expiry date to 365 days. If consignments remain in Customs premises beyond this period, re-validation can be done through visual inspection upon payment of a prescribed fee.
Source: bit.ly/44Lgsvu

2. India’s Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has reportedly proposed enabling the licensing of Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Pretomanid, and Rifapentine only through India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), with strict label warnings. This move aims to prevent misuse, preserve drug effectiveness, and combat rising cases of drug resistant tuberculosis.
Source: bit.ly/4km2dC7

3. The National for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has recommended replacing the term “Paramedical” with “Allied and Healthcare” across all government and institutional communications (verbal, written or electronic). States, UTs, and relevant bodies must implement and enforce this updated terminology in all official usage.
Source: bit.ly/4ltTcYA

4. A popular U.S. snack brand will remove “100% natural” claims from its packaging after lawsuits highlighted trace herbicide residues in its ingredients. Although levels were within legal limits, consumer groups argued the label was misleading.
Source: bit.ly/3TlDeE4

5. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four entities, including an Indian drug manufacturer, citing violations such as non-compliance to clinical trial protocol, insanitary conditions, contamination risks, and inadequate donor screening. The FDA has directed them to implement corrective actions to ensure compliance and safeguard product quality.
Source: bit.ly/44aoWw8
Source: bit.ly/45S8eD4
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Source: bit.ly/45Sv11E

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 drug regulator (CDSCO) has identified 59 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) in August, including products from major pharmaceutical manufacturers. The action has come after several states and union territories failed to report NSQ data, prompting the CDSCO to emphasize the need for timely submissions to enhance drug safety oversight.
Source: bit.ly/4drUUFz
Source: bit.ly/3zCDmJ0

2. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II in Visakhapatnam has awarded a compensation of Rs. 15 lakhs in a medical negligence case and has found the private eye institute, its director, and two ophthalmologists guilty as they failed to meet their medical obligations by neglecting the crucial pre-surgery test of the patient leading to a loss of eyesight of the patient.
Source: bit.ly/3N6HST2

3. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the attachment of the salaries of several health officials, including the state health secretary for a potential diversion and unauthorised use of funds. The court held that the state cannot withhold the amount released by the central government due to hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and has asked for a detailed explanation from the state in the matter.
Source: bit.ly/3zCDt7o

4. India’s health ministry has issued draft regulations amending the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 to limit the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) of pesticides/insecticides in each food community. The notification invites objections and suggestions from stakeholders regarding the proposed changes till November 17, 2024.
Source: bit.ly/47MlQOV

5. The Indian government has released a notification to include Acupuncture under the category “Other Care Professionals” in the schedule of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021.
Source: bit.ly/3ZJqXNO