News
Pharmacy & healthcare news
Industry updates, regulation, and developments that matter to Indian pharmacies.
FIPO urges health ministry to reject proposal allowing OTC drug sales without a license
The Kerala branch of the Federation of Indian Pharmacist Organizations (FIPO) has formally opposed the Drugs Technical Advisory Board’s (DTAB) recommendation to allow the sale of certain over-the-counter (OTC) medicines through unlicensed establishments. In a letter to the Union Health Ministry, FIPO emphasized that all drugs including OTC must be dispensed only under a valid drug license and by a registered pharmacist.
Jun 19, 2025
Govt announces ₹10 crore prize to develop new Sickle Cell Disease drug
In a landmark push to eradicate sickle cell disease a life-threatening genetic disorder disproportionately affecting India’s tribal communities the government has announced a ₹10 crore prize for developing a new drug to treat the disease.
Jun 19, 2025
India hosts second policymakers' forum to boost global drug standards and access to affordable medicines
India has reaffirmed its global leadership in affordable healthcare and regulatory excellence by hosting the Second Policymakers’ Forum in New Delhi
Jun 17, 2025
SCDA urges drug regulators to act against pill up E-Pharmacy operating from Noida
The South Chemists & Distributors Association (SCDA) has formally requested the Central and Uttar Pradesh state drug regulators to take strict action against Pill Up, an e-pharmacy now operating from Noida.
Jun 17, 2025
Telangana DCA cracks down on antibiotic misuse to fight rising AMR threat
In a state-wide crackdown on the rampant misuse of antibiotics, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana has inspected 193 medical shops and issued show-cause notices for violations contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Jun 17, 2025
Government plans stricter regulation for rapid online pharmacy deliveries in India
As rapid 10-minute medicine delivery services gain momentum across Indian cities, the government is now tightening its grip on e-pharmacy platforms.
Jun 16, 2025
Fake anti-cancer drugs in reused vials prompt crackdown by Delhi authorities
In the wake of a counterfeit cancer drug racket uncovered by Delhi Police, the Delhi Drugs Control Department has launched an aggressive city-wide inspection drive, issuing notices to 12 wholesale dealers and collecting over 160 drug samples to curb the sale of spurious medicines.
Jun 15, 2025
Regulators urge NITI Aayog to form task force against rising counterfeit drug threat
In response to the alarming spread of counterfeit medicines across India, regulators have urged NITI Aayog to establish a dedicated Enforcement Task Force to combat this growing menace.
Jun 14, 2025
Kerala launches MedWatch app to tackle fake medicines
The Kerala State Drugs Control Department has launched an ambitious new digital tool called MedWatch, aimed at empowering citizens to verify the authenticity and quality of medicines they buy from pharmacies.
Jun 12, 2025
Glenmark to launch DCGI-approved BRUKINSA for blood cancer treatment in India
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has announced the upcoming India launch of BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib), following approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
Jun 10, 2025
ASCI flags 233 health ads for violating DMR Act and reports them to AYUSH Ministry
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has flagged 233 health-related advertisements for potentially violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. These cases have been formally escalated to the Ministry of AYUSH,
Jun 1, 2025
Blood test guided use of AstraZeneca drug shows major breakthrough in breast cancer treatment
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago, researchers unveiled promising results showing that AstraZeneca’s experimental pill camizestrant guided by a liquid biopsy blood test can significantly delay breast cancer progression in women with early signs of drug resistance.
Jun 1, 2025
Gujarat police raids medical stores to prevent illegal sale of Narcotic Drugs
The Gujarat Police has launched a large-scale crackdown on medical stores across the state to prevent the illegal sale and misuse of narcotic drugs.
Jul 9, 2025
Majority of indian adults seek non-drug weight loss options amid safety concerns over GLP-1 medications
A new survey reveals that 87% of Indian adults are interested in exploring non-drug-supported weight loss methods due to growing safety concerns over GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro).
Jul 9, 2025
NPPA notifies retail price for GSK’s cold medicine combination
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has notified the retail price of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Asia's cold medicine combination, paracetamol 500 mg and phenylephrine HCl 10 mg, at ₹6.96 per sachet.
Jul 8, 2025
NPPA notifies retail prices of 71 formulations including anti-cancer and anti-diabetes drugs
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has notified the retail prices for 71 pharmaceutical formulations, including significant drugs used in the treatment of cancer and diabetes, in line with the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013.
Jul 8, 2025
Puducherry cracks down on private chemists selling Anti-TB drugs illegally
The Puducherry administration has intensified efforts to curb the illegal sale of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs by private chemists.
Jul 8, 2025
BDCDA raises alarm on non-compliant ads by unregulated online pharmacies
The Bangalore District Druggists and Chemists Association (BDCDA) has raised serious concerns over the growing prevalence of anti-competitive and non-compliant pharmaceutical advertising campaigns by unregulated online pharmacies. The association has appealed to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to take immediate action to safeguard consumer interests and ensure ethical advertising practices are followed in the pharmaceutical sector.
Jul 7, 2025
Counterfeit anti-Epilepsy drugs seized in Hyderabad and Karimnagar
In a major crackdown against counterfeit medicines, Telangana's Drugs Control Administration (DCA) officials have seized fake stocks of Levipil 500 tablets, commonly used for the treatment of epilepsy, during surprise inspections conducted in Hyderabad and Karimnagar. The counterfeit drugs were found being sold by two distributors in the region.
Jul 6, 2025
Indian-developed antibiotic proves effective against complicated UTIs
An indigenously developed antibiotic, cefepime-enmetazobactam, has shown promising results in treating complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Indian patients. According to Dr. V Balaji, a renowned clinical microbiologist, this antibiotic has become a "blessing" for treating complex UTIs, offering both effectiveness and affordability.
Jul 6, 2025
Revolutionary process converts plastic waste into Acetaminophen for sustainable drug production
In a groundbreaking development, researchers have discovered a way to turn commonly used plastic waste into acetaminophen (paracetamol), a widely used over-the-counter painkiller. This innovative method, developed with support from AstraZeneca, transforms polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste into valuable pharmaceutical ingredients, offering a sustainable solution to both plastic waste and drug manufacturing challenges.
Jul 5, 2025
Government reviewing doorstep delivery of medicines allowed during covid
The central government is reconsidering whether doorstep delivery of medicines permitted during the Covid-19 lockdown should continue post-pandemic.
Jul 31, 2025
Fake medicines worth ₹17 lakh seized in multi-city Gujarat raids
The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has uncovered a counterfeit medicine racket with fake drugs worth ₹17 lakh during statewide raids.
Jul 30, 2025
Mumbai police bust ₹2 crore tramadol racket linked to illegal pharma trade
Mumbai Police’s Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) busted a ₹2 crore Tramadol racket in Andheri, arresting three individuals linked to courier-based drug distribution.
Jul 29, 2025
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