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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

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.

Corporate hospitals may soon have to comply with advertisement norms applicable to doctors

India’s National Medical Commission (NMC), which regulates the conduct of medical practitioners (doctors), has endorsed the position that all hospitals should comply with the same standards of ethics as are applicable to doctors under the NMC Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023. The operation of 2023 Regulations is currently under suspension.
Source: bit.ly/3vpJ7aV

High Court imposes damages of 244 crores in Standard Essential Patents case

India’s Delhi High Court has reportedly imposed damages amounting to INR 244 Crores on an Indian smartphone manufacturer. The Court found smartphone manufacturer guilty of infringing seven patents on 2G, EDGE, and 3G technology granted to a global telecom company. The order is expected to be out soon.
Source: bit.ly/3TxOXyI

Drug Manufacturers will have to upload all product details on Government portal soon

The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), a committee comprising State-level Drug Regulators, has recommended that the Central Drugs Regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), should set a deadline for manufacturers of drugs to upload list of drugs manufactured on an online portal called SUGAM.
Source: bit.ly/3TxP0uo

Ban on trade of ferocious dog breeds has been stayed in various States in India

India’s Kerala High Court, Karnataka High Court and Kolkata High Court has stayed a controversial circular of the Central Government which prohibited import, trading and selling of 23 breeds of dogs identified as ferocious in the circular. The circular also mandated sterilization of dogs from further breeding as pets. The circular has been challenged on the ground that it is unscientific, not based on evidence and has been issued without consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Source: bit.ly/3TVZcyi

European Medicines Agency urges sponsors of clinical trials to register on new portal before January 2025 deadline

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has strongly advised sponsors of clinical trials that have been approved before 31 January 2023 to submit application to move the clinical trials to the new Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) as soon as possible, considering it will take EMA up to three months to review and authorize the application. As of now, only 20% of clinical trials have been moved to the new platform.
Source: bit.ly/3TZRzHl