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 government has warned pharmacies, clinics, and online platforms of licence cancellation, fines, and legal action for unauthorised sale of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Regulators flagged misuse amid rising availability of generic semaglutide, reiterating that prescriptions are restricted to endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists, and cardiologists only, with nationwide inspections already underway.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYE-

2. The Delhi High Court granted a 30 day stock clearance window to the pharmaceutical manufacturer for its diabetes drug under the existing brand, following its agreement to adopt a new name. Thereafter, unsold inventory will be supplied free to government hospitals under supervision, with immediate cessation of all commercial use.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYF1

3. A Hyderabad-based paediatrician has criticised a company for introducing similar-looking packaging following the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India crackdown on misleading ORS branding. The doctor alleged that despite rebranding, the product retains strong recall value, potentially misleading consumers and raising ongoing public health concerns over confusion between therapeutic ORS and commercial electrolyte drinks.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYF3

4. The US FDA clarified that compounded versions of GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs can only be produced during official shortages. With supply stabilising, compounders must stop manufacturing copycat versions once drugs are removed from the shortage list. The regulator warned of enforcement action against non-compliant pharmacies and telehealth providers.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sbL5

5. India’s Drugs Technical Advisory Board, has recommended amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 to introduce licensing provisions for drug marketers. The move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and monitoring of entities that market drugs manufactured by other companies under their own label.
Source 1: shortlink.uk/1mYF8
Source 2: shortlink.uk/1mYFb

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 Government is preparing a policy response after seeking inputs from the pharmaceutical industry on the ongoing shortage and price surge of critical solvents and chemicals. Industry reported sharp increases in inputs like isopropyl alcohol and other petrochemical-based solvents, impacting production costs and supply continuity, prompting urgent intervention and long-term supply-chain stabilisation measures.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYxw

2. The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on an interim plea filed by Asian News International in a copyright infringement case against OpenAI. The case questions whether copyrighted news content can be used to train AI models like ChatGPT without permission, marking a first-of-its-kind legal challenge in India.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYy0

3. The Government is considering invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate prices of bulk drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients amid supply disruptions linked to West Asia tensions. The Department of Pharmaceuticals is consulting industry stakeholders to curb hoarding, stabilize prices, and ensure uninterrupted medicine production.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYxH

4. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has released FAQs on the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, clarifying key reforms including perpetual licence validity, revised turnover thresholds, expanded petty food business definition, and risk-based inspections to simplify compliance and strengthen food safety oversight.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sbDB

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2026, introducing revised labelling exemptions, non-retail container requirements, and updated warning declarations. The amendments will come into force from 1 July 2027, giving industry transition time for compliance.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYxL

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 National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has notified a 0.64956% increase in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for 2025 over 2024. Importers and manufacturers of Scheduled drugs and medical device are now permitted to increase the prices on the basis of WPI without prior approval from the government from April 1, 2026.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYsg

2. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has clarified that all IVF-related devices, including sperm washing kits and intrauterine insemination tools, are regulated as medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Import, manufacture, and sale of these devices require proper licensing to ensure compliance and prevent unauthorized trade.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYsj

3. India’s Central Drug authority, (CDSCO) has streamlined the procedure for review and processing Written Confirmation certificate (WCC) applications submitted through the SUGAM portal for export of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) to EU for human use. The move aims to improve efficiency aligning with EU GMP compliance requirements under Article 46(2)(b) of Directive 2001/83/EC.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sbyd

4. The National Medical Commission (NMC), following a Supreme Court of India ruling, now limits stem cell therapy to approved conditions only, so far there are 32 approved conditions. Unproven uses outside clinical trials are banned, with strict ethical rules and legal action to prevent misuse and protect patients.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYsV

5. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed hotels and restaurants to stop adding charges such as “LPG charges” and “fuel cost recovery” to customer bills, terming the practice an unfair trade practice, and warning of strict action. The CCPA clarified LPG and electricity, are part of running a business and should be factored into final menu prices.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYt2

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 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory directing all milk producers (other than members of dairy cooperative societies) and milk vendors to obtain mandatory FSSAI registration or licensing before commencing or continuing operations. States and UTs have been instructed to conduct special registration drives and enforcement checks to ensure compliance and curb milk adulteration.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYp6

2. Supreme Court reportedly declines plea seeking mandatory Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing in blood banks, stating medical policy decisions must rest with domain experts and governments. The Court noted financial implications and advised the petitioner to approach authorities, while concerns over transfusion transmitted infections and patient safety were highlighted.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYnK

3. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has delegated key regulatory functions related to veterinary drugs to its zonal offices. Zonal offices will now process Test License (Form 11) applications for import and issue NOCs for Form 29 licenses for manufacturing veterinary drugs for testing or analysis, excluding biologicals.
Source: shortlink.uk/1sbtE

4. India’s Drugs Technical Advisory Board, in its 93rd meeting, recommended amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 to introduce licensing provisions for drug marketers. The move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and monitoring of entities that market drugs manufactured by other companies under their own label.
Source 1: shortlink.uk/1mYo2
Source 2: shortlink.uk/1mYo4

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly encouraged plant-based food manufacturers to include QR codes on product labels to help consumers easily access ingredient lists and nutritional information. The regulator said the move currently voluntary can address label space limitations, improve transparency, and build consumer trust in the rapidly growing plant-based food sector.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mYof

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 Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court ruled that prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act cannot proceed if the accused is deprived of the statutory right to seek re-analysis of a drug sample by the Central Drugs Laboratory. The court quashed proceedings where the expiry of the sample’s shelf life prevented the accused from exercising this legal safeguard of having the samples tested by the Central Drugs Laboratory.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mQEt

2. India’s central food regulator (FSSAI) has amended the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. Key changes allow the authority to set turnover thresholds for registration, grant instant registration on document submission, recognize street vendors registered under the Street Vendors law, introduce risk-based inspections and audits, and suspend licences for non-payment of fees or failure to file returns.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mQEx

3. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has delegated key regulatory functions related to veterinary drugs to its zonal offices. Zonal offices will now process Test License (Form 11) applications for import and issue NOCs for Form 29 licenses for manufacturing veterinary drugs for testing or analysis, excluding biologicals.
Source: shortlink.uk/1s3ug

4. India’s Drugs Technical Advisory Board, in its 93rd meeting, recommended amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 to introduce licensing provisions for drug marketers. The move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and monitoring of entities that market drugs manufactured by other companies under their own label.
Source: shortlink.uk/1s3uq

5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly encouraged plant-based food manufacturers to include QR codes on product labels to help consumers easily access ingredient lists and nutritional information. The regulator said the move currently voluntary can address label space limitations, improve transparency, and build consumer trust in the rapidly growing plant-based food sector.
Source: shortlink.uk/1s3uD

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 Union Health Ministry, has reportedly directed all academic and research institutions under its purview to refrain from sharing data, trial results, or research information with foreign agencies without prior approval. Sectors including pharmaceuticals, animal sciences, and plant biotechnology have been flagged by Indian intelligence agencies for unauthorised informal engagements.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mobc

2. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India has issued a notice stating that Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops 0.3% w/v are being manufactured and marketed without mandatory approval. Since it is classified as a new drug, prior permission is mandatory under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. State and UT authorities have been directed to cancel approvals and report compliance.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rA6g

3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has integrated a Food Recall module into its FoSCoS compliance portal, enabling enforcement authorities and food businesses to log and monitor recalls online. Consumers can now check recalled product details on the FoSCoS homepage, strengthening food safety oversight across India’s food supply chain.
Source: shortlink.uk/1rA6l

4. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued show cause notices under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to PIBOs for failing to meet EPR targets for FY 2022–23. The entities are required to submit their response within 15 days of issuance of notice along with fulfilment of obligation. The response should be shared to CPCB on email id along with the hard copy to divisional head Delhi.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mobG

5. US FDA has issued a draft guidance to help companies reduce animal studies of experimental drugs and adopt non-animal testing tools such as newer methods, such as computer simulations and devices that mimic functions of human organs. This guidance is issued because it signals a strategic shift toward integrating non-animal data in preclinical studies, reshaping global expectations for safety evidence generation.
Source: shortlink.uk/1mobN

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 Supreme Court of India has urged the Union Government to enact a comprehensive law governing passive euthanasia and end of life care in India. The Court noted that the absence of legislation has repeatedly required judicial guidelines, while permitting withdrawal of life sustaining treatment for a patient in a prolonged vegetative state.
Source: short-url.org/1qSHk

2. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has recommended amending entry no. 33 of Schedule K to permit only unflavoured nicotine gums (2 mg) under sale license exemptions. Nicotine lozenges (2 mg) are excluded. Sale to minors is prohibited, online access closely monitored, and marketing by the tobacco industry restricted.
Source: short-url.org/1qSHq

3. A Mumbai Sessions Court has set aside criminal proceedings against directors of an e-commerce platform in a case concerning alleged online sale of abortion pills. The court held that the company operates as an intermediary marketplace and cannot be held directly liable for products listed by third-party sellers, highlighting limits on platform liability in e-commerce
Source: short-url.org/1lJ8-

4. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has recommended introducing a separate form for wholesale bulk drug licences to capture details of wholesalers dealing with NDPS substances. Qualification criteria for competent persons and adequate transition time for existing wholesaler licensees to obtain the new licence is also proposed by DTAB
Source: short-url.org/1lJ9e

5. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued an advisory warning manufacturers, importers and marketing authorisation holders against direct or indirect promotion of prescription medicines, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. The regulator noted that surrogate advertising, misleading efficacy claims and promotional campaigns increasing product visibility may constitute misleading marketing practices.
Source: short-url.org/1lJ9i

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 Health Ministry has issued a draft notification proposing revisions to blood product testing requirements. It proposes that products must comply with standards in the Indian Pharmacopoeia, or where unavailable, the United States or British Pharmacopoeia, and removes the requirement to test final products for HIV-I, HIV-II, Hepatitis B surface antigen, and Hepatitis C antibodies.
Source: short-url.org/1lAp8

2. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has enabled online submission of applications for licences to manufacture recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid based drugs under Forms 28D and 28DA through the Online National Drugs Licensing System (SUGAM portal). From 10 March 2026, the regulator will no longer accept physical applications.
Source: short-url.org/1qJFy

3. The 93rd meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), held on 16 February 2026, reviewed key technical and regulatory matters under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules. The board discussed policy recommendations, regulatory amendments, and technical issues affecting pharmaceuticals, biologics, and medical products, guiding future regulatory updates.
Source: short-url.org/1qJFF

4. India’s Telangana Drugs Control Administration has launched a bulk SMS alert system to instantly notify pharmacies and wholesalers about Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs, enabling rapid recalls of sub standard drugs, strengthening regulatory monitoring, supply-chain transparency, and patient safety across the state’s pharmaceutical market.
Source: short-url.org/1lApq

5. The Technology Development Board of Government of India has extended financial support to commercialise a rapid diagnostic kit for childhood diarrhea, aimed at enabling faster detection of infections in paediatric patients.
Source: short-url.org/1lApu

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 Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has enabled online submission of Post-Approval Changes (PAC) for Marketing Authorization related to r-DNA biological products through the CDSCO online portal. Offline submissions of PAC applications will be discontinued from March 5, 2026.
Source: short-url.org/1qFRp

2. The Indian government reportedly plans to train 100,000 allied health professionals over five years and expand caregiver training programmes to strengthen the healthcare workforce. The initiative will upgrade institutions, standardize training across disciplines and improve healthcare access and service quality nationwide.
Source: short-url.org/1qFRF

3. European Union has introduced a new Detergents and Surfactants Regulation requiring stricter biodegradability standards and a mandatory Digital Product Passport (DPP) for products sold in the EU. The regulations also restrict phosphates, update labeling requirements, regulate microorganism-based detergents, and ban animal testing to improve environmental protection and product transparency.
Source: short-url.org/1lwJ9

4. Delhi Drugs Control Department reportedly seized insulin stocks worth over ₹20 lakh from four wholesalers during a special enforcement drive. Inspections revealed violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, including insulin meant for government supply being diverted, lack of purchase records, and storage of insulin at room temperature instead of required cold chain conditions.
Source: short-url.org/1qFRN

5. Delhi’s Central Procurement Agency (CPA) has reportedly issued a directive instructing government hospitals and allied institutions to stop issuing independent tenders for medical equipment and supplies. The notice reiterates that all procurement activities must be routed through the CPA to ensure centralized purchasing and maintain uniform pricing across hospitals. Hospitals have been warned against conducting separate tendering processes without CPA approval.
Source: short-url.org/1qFRR

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 Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has introduced a prior intimation system for the submission of applications for analytical or non-clinical testing in Forms CT-10, CT-12, and CT-13 under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 through the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal. The system does not apply to sex hormones, cytotoxic drugs, beta-lactam drugs, biologics containing live microorganisms, or narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Source: short-url.org/1qC6E

2. The Government of India is reportedly considering stricter regulation of nicotine lozenges to curb access by minors and non-smokers. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has reportedly recommended removing 2 mg nicotine lozenges from the exemption, which currently allows certain nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products to be sold without a drug sale licence. If implemented, nicotine lozenges would largely be restricted to sale through licensed pharmacies.
Source: short-url.org/1lt4O

3. India’s central food regulatory authority (FSSAI) has recently in a Central Advisory Committee meeting urged states and UTs to strengthen enforcement against high-risk food commodities such as milk, edible oils, spices and honey. It called for risk-based inspections, faster recruitment of food safety officers, improved grievance redressal systems, and data-driven surveillance to strengthen monitoring and improve nationwide food safety oversight.
Source: short-url.org/1lt4V

4. Karnataka government has reportedly proposed banning the use of social media by children under the age of sixteen. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the move during the state budget speech, stating that the measure aims to reduce the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone usage on minors across the state.
Source: short-url.org/1lt4-

5. India has outlined a five-pillar strategy to integrate artificial intelligence across healthcare, focusing on governance, data platforms, innovation, workforce capacity, and real-world validation. The framework aims to scale AI-driven diagnostics, public-health surveillance, and digital health infrastructure for pharma, med-tech, and health-tech companies to collaborate in data-driven healthcare innovation.
Source: short-url.org/1lt50