Welcome to the latest edition of our monthly Lifesciences and Healthcare Newsletter for the month of December 2023. 

Industry Updates

1. The National Health Authority organizes a multi-stakeholder meet for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) Microsites in New Delhi

The National Health Authority (NHA) held an ABDM Multi-stakeholder meet on December 19, 2023, in New Delhi. The event saw participation from NHA leadership, State ABDM teams, representatives from the Development Partners, Interface Agencies and Digital Solution Companies developing ABDM-enabled software. To facilitate the implementation and monitoring of ABDM Microsites, an exclusive date-entry Mobile Application for the field level functionaries and a login-based dashboard for effective monitoring at National, State and Microsite level was also launched in the event by Dr. Basant Garg, Additional CEO, NHA & Mission Director, ABDM.

[Link here]

2. The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers virtually launches 'MedTech Mitra'

On December 25, 2023, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers virtually launched 'MedTech Mitra': A Strategic Initiative to Empower MedTech Innovators and Advance Healthcare Solutions. MedTech Mitra will address the queries of the innovators and provide personalized guidance for providing strategic support. Under the guidance of NITI Aayog, Indian Council of Medical Research in partnership with Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) aim to foster development of affordable and accessible indigenous medical devices/ In-vitro diagnostics by providing strategic handholding support to MedTech innovators for clinical evaluation, regulatory facilitation, and uptake of new products through MedTech Mitra.

[Link here]

3. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the Drugs (Amendment) Rules, 2023

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the revised Schedule M under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, through a notification dated December 28, 2023. The Central Government, after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board has issued the Drugs (Amendment) Rules, 2023.  This amendment aims to address the challenges currently faced by the pharmaceutical sector. Some of the amendments in the revised Schedule M are the introduction of a pharmaceutical quality system (PQS), quality risk management (QRM) and product quality review (PQR). 

[Link here]

General Updates

1. On December 1, 2023, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare along with Shri Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Health and Family, Govt. of Assam,  inaugurated the World AIDS Day event at the Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium, Guwahati, Assam. This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is “Let Communities Lead.” Read more

2. A dedicated Tele- MANAS Cell was established at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune with the support of the Union Health Ministry on December 1, 2023. This cell served as an extension of the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across State initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family welfare. Read more 

3. On December 2, 2023, India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting being held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters at Rome. Read more

4. Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), two All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have been established in the State of Uttar Pradesh, one at Raebareli and the other at Gorakhpur. Further, under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) 1670 building-less Sub Health Centres, 674 Urban Health and Wellness Centres, 515 Block Public Health Units, 75 Integrated Public Health Labs and 62 Critical Care Hospital Blocks for the State of Uttar Pradesh have been approved. Read more.

5. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated five new facilities at the Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR) on December 14, 2023. The facilities included a Test Research Laboratory, an Innovation Complex, a Conference Hall Complex, and a 300-seat Auditorium. Read more.

Contributors to the newsletter:

• Nusrat Hassan, Managing Partner
• Khushi Shah, Trainee Associate