Government Proposes New Restrictions on Alcohol-Containing Oral Drugs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules proposing amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which would introduce significant new restrictions on the retail sale and distribution of certain oral drug formulations containing alcohol.
Government Proposes Amendments to Drugs Rules to Include Cell and Gene Therapies
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules proposing significant amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to formally incorporate the regulatory oversight of modern biological therapies, including Cell and Stem Cell derived products, Gene therapeutic products, and Xenografts.
Union Health Minister Urges States to Intensify Dengue and Malaria Prevention
Union Health Minister has reviewed the current dengue and malaria situation in the country and issued a strong advisory to all Chief Ministers. He has urged them to remain vigilant in the coming months and to intensify preventive measures and community awareness activities to effectively control these vector-borne diseases.
Aadhaar Authentication Made Voluntary for National Medical Examinations
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a notification making Aadhaar authentication a voluntary option for candidates during national-level medical examinations conducted by the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). This new notification, which supersedes a previous one dated August 22, 2025, and is effective immediately, clarifies the conditions under which Aadhaar can be used for identity verification.
Draft New Drugs and Clinical Trials Amendment Rules, 2025
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published a draft notification proposing several amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. The changes are designed to streamline the manufacturing process for new drugs and investigational new drugs, particularly for analytical and preclinical testing, and to accelerate the review timelines for applications. The draft rules are now open for public comments till September 27, 2025.
Health Ministry Proposes Amendments to Drugs Rules, 1945
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules to further amend the Drugs Rules, 1945. These proposed changes, made after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, aim to update regulations concerning the testing of parenteral solutions, the supervision of drug sales, and conditions for drug licenses.
Government Constitutes National Allied and Healthcare Advisory Council
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced the constitution of the National Allied and Healthcare Advisory Council, a body established to advise the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession. This constitution, notified on May 23, 2025, is in pursuance of the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021.
Government Proposes Ban on Several Antimicrobials in Animals Due to Human Health Risk
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a draft notification proposing a ban on the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of several antimicrobials and their formulations for use in animals, citing potential risks to human health. This notification was published on May 22, 2025.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Rishi Authorized to Sign Medical Device Test Certificates for Courts
The Central Government, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has authorized Dr. Rakesh Kumar Rishi, the Director In-charge of the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in Kolkata, to sign statutory certificates of test or evaluation for medical device samples sent by Courts of Law. This notification was issued on May 16, 2025.
India Makes Strides in Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality
India is demonstrating progress in reducing maternal and child mortality rates, steadily moving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for 2030. The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India on May 7, 2025, reveals improvements across key health indicators, outpacing global averages in several areas.
Drugs and Cosmetics (Compounding of Offences) Rules, 2025
Individuals or companies involved in the manufacture, import, sale, distribution, or any other activity covered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its rules can apply to the designated compounding authority for the compounding of an offence. This application can be made either before or after the initiation of prosecution and must be submitted in the prescribed form along with relevant information and documents. Importantly, each company or person involved must submit an individual application.
India Launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025-26
Measles and Rubella, highly contagious viral diseases, can lead to severe complications and even death. India has set a target to eliminate these diseases by 2026, leveraging the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which provides two free doses of the MR vaccine to eligible children at 9-12 months and 16-24 months.