What recent policy updates affect public health and healthcare affordability?

Recent policy updates and regulatory measures target pharmaceutical pricing, nutrition safety, and rehabilitation support:

1. Healthcare Affordability: Anti-Cancer Drug Price Rationalisation

30% Trade Margin Cap: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, issued a notification under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, applying Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) to 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs by capping trade margins at 30% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

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Price Cuts Up to 70%: This price cap is expected to lower MRPs by up to 70% for critical oncology treatments. The covered formulations include immunotherapy drugs (treating over 20 cancer types), Denosumab (breast and prostate cancer), Pegfilgrastim (neutropenia prevention), Bevacizumab (colon, ovary, and cervical cancer), as well as Pembrolizumab, Durvalumab, and Osimertinib.

Compliance & Transparency: The revised prices take effect on 9 November 2026. Manufacturers, retailers, and hospitals must display the updated price lists on their websites and in pharmacies. Consumers can verify price compliance using the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile app or the NPPA website.

2. Public Health & Food Safety Regulations (FSSAI)

Prohibition of Added Sugars in Infant Food: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, proposing a complete ban on added sucrose and fructose in food products formulated for infants up to six months of age.

Pesticide Residue Limits in Tea: FSSAI notified draft amendments under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, establishing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two specific pesticides in tea: Acetamiprid (20 mg/kg) and Imidacloprid (50 mg/kg).

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3. Mental Health & Substance Abuse Rehabilitation

Structured Recovery Under NAPDDR: Under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, public welfare frameworks are delivering structured in-patient treatment, medical care, psychiatric support, and emotional rehabilitation for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

4. Health & Educational Welfare Authentication

PM CARES for Children Safeguards: Aadhaar authentication was made mandatory for scholarship and welfare assistance under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. To ensure public health and education welfare access is uninterrupted, provisions state that no child will be denied benefits due to authentication failures or lack of an Aadhaar number, allowing alternative identity verification methods.