HONG KONG – India’s central government has finally placed most med-tech devices into the category of ‘drugs,’ subjecting them to control under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

HYDERABAD, India – Multinationals and domestic companies are stepping up research in India, including working to leverage the country’s digital and entrepreneurial capabilities, to boost India’s capabilities and market share in more innovative biologic drugs.

HONG KONG – The recent coronavirus (2019-nCov) scare has led to a rush of demand for masks that could soon strain pharmaceuticals and med-tech companies alike. In Hong Kong, queues for surgical masks now snake around the block.

HONG KONG – Over the weekend, India’s Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has imposed a health cess (also known as tax on tax) of 5% on the imports of medical equipment, except those exempted from basic customs duty (BCD). The aim of this development, stated in Sitharaman’s 2020 budget address, is to give impetus to the domestic industry and to generate resources for health services in the country.

HONG KONG – Indian authorities have apparently given medical device manufacturers a one-year extension to register for market authorization that was originally to be done by the New Year.

NEW DELHI, India – While India is still an attractive prospect for investment in biotechnology, the country needs to learn from the successful examples of other countries, including its Asian biotech competitors, according to a new report.

HYDERABAD – India, home to a quarter of the global tuberculosis (TB) cases, plans to enhance its capacity to fight TB drug resistance and bolster susceptibility testing under a new initiative launched by the Geneva-based nonprofit Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND).