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 directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods. This move aims to inform consumers about high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fats, addressing rising health concerns like obesity and diabetes. The court emphasized prioritizing public health over industry resistance.
Source: h7.cl/1jEhc

2. The Indian government has tightened the IT intermediary law, by an amendment that defines synthetic media, and require social media platforms to remove flagged harmful content within three hours, enhancing accountability and curbing misuse of AI online. The amendment also obliges intermediaries offering AI tools to deploy technical (including automated) measures blocking unlawful deepfake and synthetic content.
Source: h7.cl/1jEgT

3. India’s Supreme Court has issued notices to the Central Government and National Medical Commission on a PIL seeking exemption of medical professionals from the Consumer Protection Act. The petition argues consumer law undermines doctor-patient trust and promotes defensive medicine. The Court’s decision remains pending.
Source: h7.cl/1jEhX

4. The Supreme Court reportedly directed the Gujarat Pollution Control Board to decide within a week on Pharma company’s plea to reopen its Dahej plant, producing hexafluoro-methoxypropane, a key sevoflurane intermediate. It was shut over alleged hazardous waste discharge into the Narmada River. The court denied interim relief, advising remedies via statutory authorities and the National Green Tribunal.
Source: h7.cl/1jEh-

5. United States Food and Drug Administration reportedly issued a warning that a major pharma company’s Television advertisement for its obesity pill is false or misleading as it suggested unproven superiority and benefits over other GLP one medicines. The regulator directed corrective action to ensure accuracy and protect patients.
Source: h7.cl/1oHAn

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

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 amended the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 to streamline manufacture of new and investigational drugs for testing purposes. The amendment permits limited manufacturing for analytical and non-clinical testing based on prior intimation, except for specified high-risk categories, and reduce timelines from ninety to forty-five working days.
Source: h7.cl/1iiiB

2. India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has proposed amendments to its licensing regulations to tighten compliance. Delayed filing of the annual Food Safety Compliance Return beyond 31 May will attract graded penalties, and non-filing beyond 180 days will lead to deemed licence suspension. The draft also clarifies storage practice and record-keeping requirements for manufacturers, with exemptions for non-manufacturers and retailers. Public comments are invited latest by 19th March 2026.
Source: h7.cl/1nhPE

3. India’s Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee has decided that pesticides highly sensitive to acidic or alkaline water must carry specific label and leaflet instructions on optimal water pH. Applicants and registrants have been advised to ensure compliance while seeking registration and finalising labels.
Source: h7.cl/1iiiN

4. India’s Health Ministry has asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) to examine and take appropriate action regarding appeals filed by individuals who are not registered medical practitioners against decisions made by State Medical Councils. This could affect rights of patients and the public to seek redress against decisions affecting healthcare practice and professionals.
Source: h7.cl/1iiiS

5. The Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) has issued a structured inspection schedule and standard operating procedures for animal facilities of Clinical Research Organisations and research and development laboratories. It mandates three inspections over a year, clarifies roles of IAEC nominees, and introduces standard feedback and confidentiality requirements.
Source: h7.cl/1nhPP

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. A leading food products manufacturer has moved the Bombay High Court against a YouTube channel alleging that an online video falsely questioned the safety of its product despite regulatory approval. The company contends the content contradicts findings of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and seeks removal and restraint to prevent consumer misinformation.
Source: h7.cl/1lpNb

2. India’s Health Ministry has reportedly clarified that failing to prescribe medicines by their generic names constitutes professional misconduct and may attract disciplinary action under National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations. Doctors are required to prescribe drugs legibly and rationally, with State Medical Councils and the NMC empowered to act against violations.
Source: h7.cl/1lpNg

3. European Medicines Agency (EMA) released Revision 3 of its stability testing guideline for marketing authorisation variations. The update clarifies stability data expectations for post-approval changes, aligns with lifecycle management principles, and strengthens requirements for Type I and II variations, supporting quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal products across the EU.
Source: h7.cl/1lpNi

4. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued two guidance documents clarifying safety reporting responsibilities for sponsors and investigators in investigational drug and device studies, including IND, bioavailability (BA), and bioequivalence (BE) trials. The guidance provides detailed recommendations on adverse event reporting and safety data assessment in clinical research.
Source: h7.cl/1gvVH
Source: h7.cl/1lpNs

5. U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, thereby easing its regulatory status to support medical research. He has also approved a pilot program enabling Medicare reimbursement for products containing CBD, a widely used non-psychoactive cannabis compound.
Source: h7.cl/1lpNy

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 Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has notified the establishment of a National Control Room (NCR) to coordinate and monitor nationwide enforcement of the ban on identified single-use plastic items. The NCR will support clarity, compliance tracking, stakeholder guidance, state control room reporting, inspections and awareness campaigns.
Source: h7.cl/1lmmL

2. The National Medical Commission has directed medical colleges to establish committees to monitor prescription practices, emphasising clear and legible handwriting and the use of generic drug names. The directive aims to strengthen patient safety, promote rational prescribing, and integrate these practices into medical education nationwide.
Source: h7.cl/1lmm6

3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly directed all states and Union Territories to launch a nationwide enforcement drive against adulteration and misbranding of milk, paneer and khoya. The move follows repeated detections and aims to protect public health through strict inspections and penalties across country.
Source: h7.cl/1gsAC

4. More than 60% of registered small and medium pharmaceutical units in India reportedly risk shutting down by December 2025 due to non-compliance with revised GMP (Schedule M) quality standards. Industry stakeholders warn of potential medicine shortages, job losses, and export disruptions if compliance challenges are not addressed promptly.
Source: h7.cl/1gsAd

5. The EU’s Medical Device Coordination Group has issued new guidance clarifying criteria for qualifying breakthrough medical and IVD devices under MDR/IVDR. It defines key criteria such as significant clinical benefit, unmet medical need, and innovation level, aiming to harmonize interpretation across authorities and support early regulatory engagement without lowering safety or evidence requirements.
Source: h7.cl/1lmli

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 regulator, FSSAI, has reportedly initiated a nationwide surveillance drive to collect and test egg samples (branded and unbranded) for banned antibiotics like nitrofurans. Additionally, FSSAI is also scrutinising declarations such as ‘100% chemical-free’, ‘antibiotic-free’, ‘100% pure’, or ‘fresh’, checking compliance with permissible labelling declarations.
Source: h7.cl/1gl8j

2. India will host the Second World Health Organization Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from 17 to 19 December 2025, bringing global leaders together to strengthen science-based, ethical and sustainable integration of traditional medicine into national health systems and the global health policy framework.
Source: h7.cl/1leF9

3. India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare has reportedly called on the National Medical Commission (NMC) to issue clear guidelines to establish new medical colleges in states with fewer than 100 MBBS seats per million population, addressing uneven seat distribution, high costs, faculty shortages and access gaps in medical education.
Source: h7.cl/1gl9d

4. The Indian Council of Medical Research has reportedly funded a pan India clinical trial, Intermittent PARP Inhibitor Regimen in Ovarian Cancer, to evaluate intermittent dosing of the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in ovarian cancer, aiming to reduce treatment costs and side effects while maintaining clinical efficacy and improving patient access.
Source: h7.cl/1leFj

5. The Telangana Drugs Control Administration conducted a statewide inspection of retail medical shops and raided an unlicensed fertility centre, issuing notices to 180 outlets and seizing multiple medicines, reinforcing enforcement against illegal drug sales and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and ensuring patient safety across the state.
Source: h7.cl/1gl8A

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 Department of Consumer Affairs has uploaded the list of revised retail sale prices declared by companies in response to the recent GST rate changes. This update reflects company’s adjustments to the new tax rates, impacting pricing across various product categories, including drugs and medical devices.
Source: https://short-url.org/1cK-p

2. Investigations into the cough syrup incident have reportedly revealed that the manufacturer allegedly paid a 10% commission to the doctor for prescribing the syrup. Authorities are continuing their probe, focusing on both the manufacturer and the doctor’s involvement in the case.
Source : https://short-url.org/1cK-H

3. The National Medical Commission is reportedly planning to prohibit pharma and medical device promotions during live surgery broadcasts, citing misuse for marketing over education. Live surgeries will be allowed only for new procedures, with recordings preferred for others, to prevent ethical breaches and ensure patient safety in medical demonstrations
Source: https://short-url.org/1cK-P

4. The Delhi High Court has permitted the launch of an affordable generic version of a drug used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, upholding that a credible challenge was raised to the patent and emphasising that affordable access to life-saving treatment outweighs the need for injunctive relief in public interest.
Source : https://short-url.org/1cL07

5. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed a direct-to-consumer TV advertisement by a major drug manufacturer and found it false and misleading. According to the FDA, the ad’s rapid visuals, background music, and frequent scene changes distracted viewers, hindering understanding of important risk information and creating a misleading perception of the drug’s effectiveness among consumers.
Source : https://short-url.org/1cL04

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 Delhi High Court has recently ruled that businesses cannot justify failure to reduce prices after a GST rate cut by claiming to have increased the product quantity, especially when such changes are made without informing consumers. Continued non-compliance may lead to GST registration cancellation under anti-profiteering provisions.
Source: short-url.org/1gqnP

2. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has clarified that combi-packs of lyophilized injections with standard diluents (e.g., sterile water or saline) used for over four years will not be treated as new drugs, allowing State Licensing Authorities approval. Combi-packs with different diluents will still require CDSCO approval as new drugs.
Source: short-url.org/1gqnS

3. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has released draft Factories Workers Rules under the OSHW Code, 2020, inviting comments until 6th November 2025. The rules mandate safety, health, and welfare measures, including sanitation, ventilation, separate facilities, first-aid, nutrition, and emergency preparedness, with obligations varying by workforce size.
Source: short-url.org/1gqo1

4. Over the next five years, drugs worth $236 billion globally are slated to lose patent protection, paving the way for generic drugs and biosimilars. This “patent cliff” allows Indian pharma to capture market share, grow revenues, and lower drug costs for patients globally.
Source: short-url.org/1gqo6

5. Over the past five years, National Medical Commission (NMC) Ethics & Medical Registration Board has dismissed 162 appeals filed by patients/families alleging medical negligence. India’s Central Health Ministry has now reportedly begun a review of this, planning to consult with NMC to understand and address potential procedural bias.
Source: short-url.org/1bLfY

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 Ministry of Commerce & Industry introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha to decriminalise 288 minor offences under 16 central laws, including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. It proposes replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties and improvement notices to ease compliance, boost business confidence, and cut litigation. The Bill now awaits Parliamentary committee review.
Source 1: short-link.me/1bGZT
Source 2: short-link.me/1bGZX

2. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced an automated alerts protocol for OCEMS (Online Continuous Emission/Effluent Monitoring Systems). Compliance issues now trigger tiered warnings: Yellow (Level I), Orange (Level II), and Red (Level III), requiring escalating actions from record-keeping to immediate shutdowns and detailed incident reporting.
Source: short-link.me/1bH01

3. The Health Ministry has reversed the requirement for doctors to register on the National Medical Register just months after making it mandatory. The change comes after fewer than 1 percent of doctors enrolled, facing a process tangled with Aadhaar mismatches and affidavit demands, leaving most applications unapproved.
Source: short-link.me/1bH03

4. Delhi’s Drug Control Administration issued a strict advisory to chemist associations, mandating the immediate cessation of over-the-counter sales of pregabalin and tapentadol due to rising misuse for intoxication and addiction. The directive demands accurate stock records under the Drugs Rules, 1945, and warns of strict penalties for non-compliance.
Source: short-link.me/17f6F

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly formed a committee to evaluate whether added sugar should be permitted in infant food. This follows criticism for major manufacturer of infant food for adding sugar in infant food sold in India. Current food regulations allow limited sucrose/fructose only if essential, capped at 20% of total carbohydrates.
Source: short-link.me/17f6L

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 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 to identify, assess, and remediate contaminated sites across India. The rules mandate state pollution boards to coordinate sampling, remediation, cost recovery, and risk-based action plans using a centralized online portal for monitoring and enforcement.
Source: bit.ly/3IMIeiU

2. The National Medical Commission released formal guidelines on the ethical conduct and broadcasting of live surgeries. Key provisions include mandatory explicit patient consent, anonymisation protocols, supervision by ethics boards, clear educational intent, and strict limits on commercial elements. The notice responds to Supreme Court scrutiny and aims to safeguard patient welfare in live surgical demonstrations.
Source: bit.ly/3IOGaqH
Source: bit.ly/45lJceG

3. India’s Drug Controller General has mandated state regulators to instruct manufacturers to closely monitor NDMA levels in ranitidine API and finished formulations, reduce shelf life, and implement risk-based controls. This follows a DTAB recommendation for a broader expert review and an ICMR safety study amid carcinogen concerns.
Source: bit.ly/4of1dTy
Source: bit.ly/3IPcABh

4. Delhi Drug Control Department has issued directive addressed to pharmacies to install CCTV cameras by July 31, 2025, to curb the sale of over-the-counter dual-use drugs without a valid prescription. Pharmacists across Delhi are voicing financial and procedural concerns over the government’s advisory.
Source: bit.ly/4mdEgOD

5. Delhi High Court directed the Centre to establish clear and enforceable guidelines for the collection and transport of medical samples. In response, the government has formed expert panels that have finalized draft standards, which are now under legal review and expected to be officially notified within three months.
Source: bit.ly/41freYK