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Pharmacy & healthcare news
Industry updates, regulation, and developments that matter to Indian pharmacies.
Smart capsule controls gut bacteria via mobile app in breakthrough research
Researchers from Tianjin University have developed an ingestible smart capsule that can control gut bacteria through a smartphone app.
Jul 29, 2025
E-pharmacy regulation still pending despite draft rules and industry growth
Even after nearly seven years since the first draft rules were released, India still lacks a final regulatory framework to govern online medicine sales. The Central Government has not enacted any binding regulation on e-pharmacies, despite including relevant provisions in the proposed Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023. Responding in Rajya Sabha on July 22, Minister Anupriya Patel confirmed that the draft rules, issued in August 2018, remain under review. Meanwhile, India’s e-pharmacy industry has grown rapidly, raising concerns over patient safety, data privacy, and sale of unregulated drugs. Pharmacy traders have consistently opposed online medicine sales, leading to ongoing court cases demanding regulatory action.
Jul 28, 2025
Ethical and profitable e-pharmacy models possible without antibiotics says AMR expert
India’s e-pharmacy sector doesn’t need to rely on antibiotic sales to thrive and doing so may be both unethical and risky in the long run. In a thought-provoking piece, AMR advisor Dr. Swetavalli Raghavan argues that platforms can drive profitability through chronic care, wellness subscriptions, and responsible governance.
Jul 28, 2025
Top Indian drugmakers recall batches in US over manufacturing defects
Three top Indian pharma giants Sun Pharma, Lupin, and Dr. Reddy’s are recalling drug batches from the US market. The recalls were triggered by quality concerns raised by the US FDA. The affected medicines include ADHD drugs, blood pressure tablets, and gastric treatments. Issues like dissolution failure and product mix-up have been reported. All three recalls fall under the “Class II” category, which means the risk to patients is moderate and reversible. For Indian pharma exporters, this is another reminder of how important strict quality checks are in global markets.
Jul 27, 2025
Government expands Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana target to 20000 kendras by March 2026
To make quality generic medicines more accessible and affordable, the Indian government is rapidly scaling up the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). As of June 2025, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been set up across the country. These dedicated outlets offer generic drugs at prices 50% to 80% lower than branded medicines resulting in nearly ₹38,000 crore in savings for Indian citizens. The government now aims to expand the network to 20,000 Kendras by March 2026. Alongside this expansion, efforts are being made to increase awareness, strengthen quality control, and promote prescription of generics across public healthcare.
Jul 25, 2025
Centre moves to deregulate sale of household antiseptics
The Ministry of Health is set to implement a policy that will deregulate the sale of common household liquid antiseptics, including products like Dettol and Savlon.
Jul 22, 2025
Over 3,000 drugs found not of standard quality, 245 spurious in 2024-2025
India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has released findings revealing that 3,104 drugs failed quality tests between April 2024 and March 2025.
Jul 22, 2025
CDSCO identifies 185 drugs as not of standard quality and flags 4 as spurious
India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has flagged 185 drug samples as ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSQ) and identified four others as spurious during its monthly quality review for June.
Jul 21, 2025
Delhi HC orders examination of weight loss drugs and directs DCGI to seek expert consultation
The Delhi High Court has directed the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to examine and address concerns regarding the approval and sale of certain weight loss drug combinations in India.
Jul 2, 2025
PGI Takes Action Against Private Chemist for Inflated Drug Prices in OPD
The authorities at PGI Chandigarh are taking immediate action after a Times of India (TOI) exposé revealed that a private chemist operating within PGI's new outpatient department (OPD) was overcharging patients for medicines, violating contractual obligations.
Jul 19, 2025
CBN seizes 20 lakh tablets in pharma drug haul in Lucknow
The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) conducted a major drug seizure operation in Lucknow, recovering nearly 20 lakh illicit tablets and 5,700 bottles of codeine syrup.
Jul 18, 2025
Telangana DCA issues show cause notices to 149 medical shops for selling illicit abortion kits
The Telangana Drug Control Administration (DCA) has intensified its crackdown on the illicit sale of abortion kits across the state.
Jul 18, 2025
FDA raises eye safety concerns for GSK's blood cancer drug Blenrep
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staff has raised concerns about the safety of GSK's blood cancer drug Blenrep, particularly regarding eye damage when used in combination with other treatments.
Jul 16, 2025
NPPA releases draft ceiling price for six scheduled formulations
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has unveiled the draft ceiling prices for six formulations listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022, including widely used drugs like povidone iodine ointment, DPT vaccine, and paracetamol injection.
Jul 16, 2025
Fake Sun pharma Levipil highlights failure of QR code authentication
A recent seizure of counterfeit Levipil 500 (levetiracetam 500 mg) tablets in Telangana, being sold as genuine products of Sun Pharma, has sparked alarm over the failure of QR code authentication in India’s pharmaceutical sector.
Jul 15, 2025
Health ministry makes doctor’s prescription mandatory for red line antibiotics in India
In a bid to curb antibiotic misuse and prevent the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Red Line Campaign, urging the public to seek a doctor's prescription for medicines marked with a red line.
Jul 11, 2025
Telangana DCA intensifies anti-counterfeit drug drive, arrests one more errant dealer
The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has continued its crackdown on counterfeit drugs, arresting a key distributor in connection with the illegal sale of spurious Levipil 500 tablets.
Jul 10, 2025
Metabolic Factors Identified as Key Drivers of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Progression
A new 10-year longitudinal study published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology has unveiled significant links between metabolic factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), diabetes, and other variables, with the progression and persistence of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (CMP).
Jan 9, 2025
Six New Biomarkers Could Revolutionize Kidney Injury Monitoring and Treatment
A new study has discovered six new biomarkers that may revolutionize the detection and management of drug-induced kidney injury, also known as nephrotoxicity.
Jan 9, 2025
Supreme Court Clarifies Powers Under Drugs & Cosmetics Act: Only Central Government Can Prohibit Drug Trade
It is submitted that, under Section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, only the Central Government has the power to prohibit the sale or manufacture of a drug.
Jan 9, 2025
TechInvention Partners with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health to Boost Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa
In a new move towards further improving health standards in Africa, TechInvention has collaborated with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health on local vaccine production development.
Jan 9, 2025
Health Department to Monitor ILI and SARI Cases Amid HMPV Concerns
Following reports of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in different parts of the country, the health department has sounded an alarm by increasing vigilance over ILI and SARI cases in Nashik district.
Jan 8, 2025
Hyderabad children resistant to routine antibiotics, experts warn: the growing AMR crisis
Hyderabad: More and more children in the city are becoming insensitive to Azithromycin and Amoxicillin antibiotics for Mycoplasma pneumonia among other bacterial infections
Jan 8, 2025
Indian Pharmaceutical Market reaches Rs. 2,21,425 crore in 2024
The Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM) has experienced tremendous growth in 2024 with an annual growth rate of 8.3% and valuation of Rs 2,21,425 crore. It is a testament to the sector's resilience and innovation
Jan 8, 2025
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