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

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 licensing authority, CDSCO has issued an alert on the theft of Lantus® SoloStar® insulin (Batch No. 5F0347B) belonging to Sanofi India during transit in Odisha. As the product requires cold-chain storage at 2–8°C, quality risks exist. CDSCO has issued an advisory to healthcare professionals, patients and regulators.
Source: short-url.org/1qgYH

2. India’s central drug regulator reportedly circulated a proposal from the Ministry of Cooperation that would allow Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to operate Jan Aushadhi Kendras without registered pharmacists through restricted drug licences, aiming to expand access in underserved areas. The pharmacist community has raised serious concerns, arguing this move could weaken professional standards and patient safety.
Source: short-url.org/1qgYM

3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued draft amendments to the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations, 2011 proposing several changes. Stakeholders may submit objections or suggestions within sixty days from publication of the notification. The authority will consider all representations before finalising the proposed regulatory amendments.
Source: short-url.org/1qgYz

4. A court has granted interim relief in a trademark dispute involving the shape of a toilet cleaner bottle. It held that product shape can receive trademark protection even after design registration expires. Observing strong similarity between competing bottles, the court restrained sale of the allegedly infringing product pending further proceedings.
Source: short-url.org/1qgZN

5. The Madras High Court has stayed a single judge’s observation declaring the term “Vapo” as public property in a trademark dispute concerning vapour-based medicinal rubs. The Division Bench held that the finding requires further examination, while allowing continued use of the contested registered mark pending adjudication of the appeals.
Source: short-url.org/1l8DX

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 Delhi high court granted ex-parte interim injunction to major manufacturer of toothpaste, directing social media platforms to take down the defamatory content pending further proceedings which is falsely claiming that Dant Kanti toothpaste causes cancer. The court found the claims prima facie malicious and unsubstantiated.
Source: short-url.org/1l8us

2. The High Court of Bombay has granted permanent injunction protecting registered mark ZERODOL against use of ZEKODOL-P for identical pharma products. Court found strong phonetic and visual similarity, holding confusion in medicines unacceptable. Defendant restrained and directed to pay directed to pay costs.
Source: short-url.org/1qgQf

3. The CDSCO is reportedly set to formally involve Quality Council of India-certified notified bodies in its drug regulatory audit framework to boost coverage and compliance monitoring, addressing capacity constraints in current inspections. The reform, aligned with global standards, would expand third-party audit participation alongside plans to grow internal scientific review teams.
Source: short-url.org/1qgQx

4. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization will reportedly replace its existing SUGAM regulatory portal with a modern open-architecture digital platform, following approval by the Department of Expenditure. The new system aims to integrate the entire drug regulatory value chain, improve transparency and efficiency, and streamline licence, import/export and regulatory approval processes across India.
Source: short-url.org/1l8uE

5. The National Medical Commission has directed all medical colleges to integrate the HMIS of their attached hospitals with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM-HMIS) portal within 15 days. Issued under UGMSR 2023 compliance, the move aims to enhance transparency, objective assessments and digital monitoring of medical education standards.
Source: short-url.org/1qgSQ

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 directed state drug regulators to direct manufacturers of Doxycycline formulations to incorporate CNS side Effects as an adverse drug reaction such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, and dizziness in the caution section of the package insert/ Promotional literature following recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee on Antimicrobial and Ant Parasite.
Source: short-url.org/1perz

2. India’s National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) ruled that prescribing allopathic medicines without a recognised medical qualification is negligence and deficiency in service. It directed an eye centre to pay ₹2 lakh compensation plus interest to a patient who permanently lost vision due to such unqualified prescriptions.
Source: short-url.org/1k96-

3. The Directorate of Drugs Control under the Government of Tamil Nadu has issued a public advisory warning citizens against the manufacture, sale and online distribution of unapproved oral nicotine pouches. Show-cause notices have been served to major online sellers for marketing products whose safety, efficacy and quality have not been established in India.
Source: short-url.org/1perD

4. The Multidisciplinary Committee advising the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has recommended a five-year exemption from the Drug Price Control Order, 2013 for nafithromycin, India’s first indigenous antibiotic. The move follows patent confirmation by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and the Indian Patent Office, allowing pricing flexibility and encouraging domestic antibiotic innovation.
Source: short-url.org/1k973

5. India’s National One Health Mission has reportedly invited expressions of interest from qualified organisations to develop artificial intelligence tools for early detection of emerging pathogens across human, animal and environmental systems. The government-backed programme will fund research and development to strengthen disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness nationwide efforts.
Source: short-url.org/1k977

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 requested state drug regulators to direct manufacturers of Carbimazole formulations to incorporate agranulocytosis as an adverse drug reaction in Prescribing Information Leaflets (PIL) following recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee on Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Source: short-url.org/1pcz1

2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced a Common EPR Portal to unify all Extended Producer Responsibility activities under one platform. Through Single Sign-On (SSO), users can access Plastic, E-Waste, Battery, Tyre and Used Oil Management portals, and the EPR Trading Platform with one login. Registration is mandatory, with no additional fee.
Source: short-url.org/1pcz4

3. The Madras High Court has reportedly strongly criticised the practice of imposing non-compete and non-solicitation clauses on doctors in employment contracts, calling such restrictive covenants “unlawful on the face of it” and questioning their enforceability in healthcare settings. The bench indicated it will discourage hospitals from using these clauses, emphasising doctors’ freedom to practice and patient choice.
Source: short-url.org/1pcz6

4. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has reportedly deferred a decision on creating a separate price ceiling for cementless knee implants. The Multidisciplinary Committee will invite subject experts and manufacturers for detailed deliberations. Until a final determination is made, all companies must continue complying with the existing ceiling prices.
Source: short-url.org/1k7in

5. India’s drug regulator CDSCO is enhancing the online WHO-GMP Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) application via its ONDLS portal, partnering with C-DAC and state authorities to replace manual submissions. The digital shift aims to cut delays, improve transparency, and boost export readiness for Indian pharma manufacturers.
Source: short-url.org/1pcze

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 Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 has been amended to introduce mandatory metrological and technical standards for continuous clinical electrical thermometers used in human and veterinary care. The rules prescribe accuracy thresholds, testing protocols, labelling norms, environmental tolerance, and type-approval requirements impacting manufacturers, importers, and hospital-grade device suppliers.
Source: short-url.org/1k3IL

2. The Delhi High Court is examining a challenge to mandatory vegetarian/non-vegetarian dot labelling on toothpaste and toiletry products. Noting conflicting regulatory positions, the Court has directed Legal Metrology authorities and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to hold a joint meeting to determine whether such labelling should remain compulsory or voluntary. The matter is listed for further hearing on April 27.
Source: short-url.org/1p8RE

3. The Union Health Ministry will unveil SAHI (Strategy for AI in Healthcare for India) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI) at the India AI Summit 2026, under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the initiatives institutionalise AI governance, validation and privacy-preserving benchmarking nationwide.
Source: short-url.org/1k3Iu

4. India’s Delhi High Court has reportedly urged authorities to ensure real-time hospital bed and emergency service data through the NextGen e-Hospital digital platform. It ordered full implementation across government hospitals, including linkage to a mobile app for public access, and called for technical support and broader adoption to improve emergency care and patient treatment.
Source: short-url.org/1p8Ry

5. The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has reportedly warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that AI-generated fake medical prescriptions are enabling illegal online drug sales by unregulated e-pharmacies. The group wants government to action to withdraw certain regulations, close illegal platforms, and ban AI-generated prescriptions to protect public health.
Source: short-url.org/1p8Rs

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 Indian Government has recently amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, mandating all e-commerce entities selling imported products to display country-of-origin details through searchable and sortable filters. The amendment, will take effect from July 1, 2026 to ensure transparency.
Source: short-url.org/1p5FU

2. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has imposed a penalty on an e-commerce platform for listing a toy for sale that failed to meet mandatory quality control order for toys and Bureau of Indian Standards requirements. The Authority held the platform liable for unfair trade practices and directed strict compliance and improved consumer grievance disclosures.
Source: short-url.org/1k0GC

3. The Supreme Court of India has expressed dissatisfaction with FSSAI’s affidavit and urged it to seriously consider introducing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats, citing global norms and public-health concerns. The bench has asked FSSAI to report back within weeks, signalling heightened regulatory scrutiny on nutritional transparency.
Source: short-url.org/1k0CS

4. The Indian government is reportedly set to introduce stringent blood centre regulations to curb ‘professional donor’ rackets and unsafe practices by restricting licences to registered voluntary/charitable organisations, barring family-run entities, and mandating ethical, operational and social accountability standards. The overhaul prioritises voluntary donations, audited infrastructure, and rigorous screening to reduce transfusion infection risks and enhance public health outcomes.
Source: short-url.org/1k0GD

5. The Indian government has granted a transitional exemption under the Electrical Appliances (Skin or Hair Care) Quality Control Order, 2023. The exemption applies to goods ordered before 6 March 2025 and the Bill of the Landing and the Bill of Entry are dated on or before 180 days from the QCO came into force. The importers will be exempted from the requirement provided they submit specified import documents to BIS within seven days of clearance.
Source: short-url.org/1p5FD

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 Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), has extended the Annual Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Returns filing deadline for FY 2023-24 from November 30, 2025 to March 31, 2026, with a ₹15,000 composition fee. Missing the extended deadline may lead to denial of RoDTEP benefits or scrip cancellations.
Source: h7.cl/1p1E2

2. The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) has directed manufacturers and marketing companies to revise the Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of 17 life-saving cancer drugs following their exemption from Customs Duty. Downward change in Duties/taxes should be passed on to consumers at the retail level, Form V must be submitted along with issue of to dealers and NPPA.
Source: h7.cl/1jXJ8

3. The Tea Board of India has issued updated guidelines for tea warehouse licence applications and renewals. The specifications that a warehouse must meet have been specified in the guidelines. Modifications of warehouse license is allowed only for floor area changes, and renewals can be auto-processed. Non-submission of requisite documents may lead to rejection without fee refund.
Source: h7.cl/1p1DR

4. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reportedly directed that clinical trials in India focus on local genetics, diets, and lifestyles rather than rely on Western research. The move addresses rising lifestyle diseases and aims to produce more relevant evidence. Multicentre trials with government funding will study therapies suited for Indian patients, potentially improving effectiveness and access.
Source: h7.cl/1p1Ef

5. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has reportedly invited stakeholder comments on the amended list of 354 medical devices exempted from restrictions on global tender enquiries. The exemption, valid until March 31, 2027, allows public procurement agencies to source these devices internationally, subject to review of adequate domestic manufacturing capacity.
Source: h7.cl/1jXJk