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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 Bombay High Court is set to decide whether donuts and cakes should be classified under restaurant services or as separate bakery products under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. The former attracts a 5% GST, while the latter could be taxed up to 18%. This decision has the potential to impact the broader food service and bakery industries, as this classification may lead to higher prices for the end consumers.
Source: bit.ly/4hdF4Aj
Source: bit.ly/3F4Nw7H

2. India’s Gujarat High Court has directed enforcement of noise pollution control rules, and to frame a policy for tackling noise pollution. This direction is pursuant to alleged non-implementation of Supreme Court’s existing ruling and a notification issued by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board for noise pollution.
Source: bit.ly/4iiEcv8

3. India’s Kerala High Court has ruled that adoption by step-parent cannot be permitted unless the biological parent of the child gives consent for adoption. The court emphasized that in child custody cases, adoption without consent can have serious repercussions like denial of custody to biological parent.
Source: bit.ly/3QMfbww

4. India’s Bombay High Court has described drug addiction as a “quasi-pandemic” and has called for the implementation of a model first information report (FIR) issued by the Bureau of Police Research to address the issue of procedural irregularities and to standardize the investigations in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) cases.
Source: bit.ly/4ij5guo

5. Medical tourism in India is reportedly set to receive increased investment. Further, telemedicine facilities are set to be introduced at all Primary Health Centers (PHCs), making healthcare more accessible, especially in rural areas.
Source: bit.ly/3QLT5dz

Posted on

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 Drugs Rules, 1945 through its first amendment introduces standards for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) nasal drugs, focusing on manufacturing and standardizing dosage forms in traditional medicine. Traditional nasya preparations, including powdered churnas, grathas, and thailams, will also be standardized under these rules.
Source: bit.ly/40M88Zm

2. India’s Parliamentary Panel has recommended to Union health ministry to consider covering the cost of medicines, particularly for long-term treatments like cancer, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). The Committee’s 159th report highlighted that the Ministry’s submission suggests the possibility of such a provision. In a previous 151st report, the Committee had urged the government to provide free medicines for long-term illnesses to all PMJAY beneficiaries across states.
Source: bit.ly/4hIIv2s

3. India’s Union Budget 2025 has introduced the “Heal in India” initiative, aiming to boost medical tourism. Kerala is expected to be a major beneficiary due to its world-class healthcare infrastructure and traditional wellness practices like Ayurveda. The initiative aims to streamline visa norms for international patients, positioning Kerala as a leading destination for health and wellness tourism.
Source: bit.ly/4hJReS4

4. India’s Food Regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
is reportedly considering new health warning on the labels of alcohol bottles, following a Bombay High Court’s directive on cancer warnings, similar to that on cigarette packs. Currently, alcohol bottles carry two health risk warnings, and industry representatives argue these are sufficient.
Source: bit.ly/3Etn0nY

5. Argentina’s government has decided to ban gender change treatments, including hormone therapy and surgeries, for minors and impose restrictions on housing trans women in women’s prisons. This move aligns with similar legislative pushbacks in countries such as the UK, Sweden, Finland, and the US, with the aim of protecting children’s mental health
Source: bit.ly/3Q7elKv