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

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 extended the deadline for filing annual returns by Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) of plastic packaging for 2024–2025 until November 30, 2025.
Source: short-url.org/1bS0C

2. The Delhi High Court, while deciding a trademark dispute, ordered customs at Mundra port to inspect containers suspected to contain dental-hygiene products which are allegedly packaged in deceptively similar manner to a leading brand’s red blue trade dress. The court found a prima facie likelihood of dilution of goodwill but withheld injunctive relief until confirmation from customs.
Source: short-url.org/1gxoM

3. Pursuant to over 3,000 complaints concerning the non-passage of tax cuts or “dark patterns” in discounting and price presentation, the government has reportedly summoned top e-commerce firms for hiking the prices or not reducing prices after recent GST reduction, even after September 22, 2025. It is scrutinising over 50 product categories and expects visible consumer price relief during the festive season.
Source: short-url.org/1bS2N

4. The Government of India has extended the RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme beyond September 30, 2025, until March 31, 2026. This scheme refunds hidden duties and taxes to exporters. It covers DTA (Domestic Tariff Area) units, Advance Authorisation holders, SEZ units, and EOUs at existing rates within the approved budget.
Source: short-url.org/1bS1c

5. The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR against a manufacturer of medicines and injections that “may cause serious harm to the patient.” The Court held that only Drug Inspectors can prosecute offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Police registration of such FIRs was deemed beyond jurisdiction.
Source: short-url.org/1bS1W

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 Health and Family Welfare has developed ONDLS Portal for receiving applications from small and medium scale pharmaceutical manufacturers who wish to avail benefit of extension from requirement to comply with new Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) under revised Schedule M. Such applications must be strictly submitted online before lapse of three months from February 11, 2025. Submission of hard copy applications will no longer be accepted.
Source: https://bit.ly/4iEFh0U

2. The Indian Ministry of Health is working with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to develop a standardized invoice format for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and diagnostic centers. Once notified, clinical establishments will have to follow a standard invoice format with detailed and transparent breakdown of charges incurred by patient.
Source: https://bit.ly/4c4CM5w

3. India’s Supreme Court has held that even in consumer contracts which contain arbitration clauses, a consumer has the right to decide whether to pursue arbitration or approach the consumer forum for resolution of consumer dispute. The Court further reiterated that consumer disputes are non-arbitrable unless the consumer voluntarily opts for arbitration.
Source: https://bit.ly/4c4CPOK

4. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has decided to withdraw the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme benefits for exports arising from Advance Authorizations (AAs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Export Oriented Units (EOUs).
RoDTEP Scheme helps pharmaceutical exporters to get refund on taxes and duties on export.
Source: https://bit.ly/4c43M59

5. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) of Karnataka has reportedly increased inspections to address the issue of adulteration of tea powders and spices.
The decision has been taken due to reports of addition of harmful substances in food products, with the goal of reducing health risks to the public.
Source: https://bit.ly/4cjrdrr