The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (“MHFW”), on 8 July 2022, released a draft of the Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2022 (“Bill”) for objections, comments, and suggestions from the public and from relevant stakeholders.1 The Bill will replace the existing Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (“Act”). The provisions of the new regulation will be in addition to, and not in derogation of any other law for the time being in force. The Bill comprises regulations on online pharmacies, clinical testing, medical devices, Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa, Unani, and Homeopathy, and their respective advisory boards.
The Bill includes penalties for multiple offences in the form of imprisonment and fines of varied nature. Some of the key provisions are:
The implementation of the Bill by the Government is long overdue. There has been increasing demand from medical professionals and policymakers calling for legislation that takes the current conflict and technology into context by bridging the lacunae in law. Yet, the Bill remains vague and requires clarification by the Government, which hopefully will be provided prior to its implementation.
[1] Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2022, Accessed at: https://main.mohfw.gov.in/newshighlights-97.
This website is owned and operated by Spice Route Legal, and is exclusively meant to be a source of information on the firm, it’s practice areas, and its members.
It is not intended and should not be construed as any form of advertisement, solicitation, invitation or inducement of any sort from the firm or its members.
Spice Route Legal does not warrant that any information provided on the website is accurate, complete or updated, and further denies liability for any and all loss or damage caused to the user as a result of their reliance on the content provided.
The information made available on this site must in no way be relied upon, or construed, as legal advice. If you need legal assistance, we recommend you seek help from competent counsel licensed to practice and advise in the relevant jurisdiction.