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Anam Chowdhary

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Associate in the Pharma and Life Sciences Practice at the Delhi - NCR Office of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Anam can be reached at anam.chowdhary@cyrilshroff.com.

CRISPR, The New Gold Standard?Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Engineering In India – Part 2

In Part 1 of the CRISPR blogpost series, we outlined the science behind CRISPR technology and also illustrated its current and potential uses in India. As previously discussed, CRISPR technology, being a genetic engineering method, poses some serious concerns. These concerns are largely ethical, social, and safety related. Hence, it is pertinent to understand the regulatory regime for CRISPR in India. In this blog post, we have outlined the regulatory regime for genetic engineering in India, with special focus on CRISPR technology.Continue Reading CRISPR, The New Gold Standard?Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Engineering In India – Part 2

CRISPR, The New Gold Standard? Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Enigineering In India – Part 1

Introduction

Advancements in science and technology have made gene-editing and the creation of genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”) a reality. It is now possible to alter and modify the genetic makeup of living organisms, leading to breakthroughs in agriculture and medicine. Such technologies and practices are being widely adopted across the world, including India, where gene editing is being explored primarily in agriculture to develop climate-resistant crops such as BT Cotton, BT Brinjal, GM-Mustard, etc. The global genome editing market, valued at $3.41 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $4.25 billion in 2025 and $13.36 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period[1].Continue Reading CRISPR, The New Gold Standard? Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Engineering In India – Part 1

Introduction

In this age of fast-paced routines riddled with stress and anxiety, the increasing and much-needed focus on health and lifestyle has led to the greater consumption of immunity-boosting and lifestyle-enhancing health products. These products are easily accessible and are not medicines or drugs that come with their fair share of risks, fueling a rising attraction towards nutraceutical products. Continue Reading Cure or Supplement – Overlap Between Drugs and Nutraceuticals

Advertisements of Illusions: A Look into Advertising Practices of Clinical Establishments in India

Introduction

While “health is wealth” is a popular adage, some might suggest that clinical establishments like corporate hospitals and private clinics have taken it too literally by commercialising and monetising healthcare and related services. The question that remains is whether the means of promoting and publicising the establishments’ offerings are unfair and mislead consumers and the public at large. Statistics presented by the Advertising Standards Council of India (“ASCI”)[1], the only dedicated watchdog for advertising practices of companies in India, suggests that a big chunk of complaints regarding misleading advertisements is related to the health sector. To put things into perspective, ASCI reported 190 instances of misleading advertisements by clinics and hospitals – from lofty claims about their services, promises of curing chronic conditions, inadequate disclosure of actual costs of the services, etc., hospitals and clinical establishments have time and again appeared on the radar of advertisement regulatory authorities.Continue Reading Advertisements of Illusions: A Look into Advertising Practices of Clinical Establishments in India

Prescription for Deception – An Analysis of Pharmaceutical Advertising in India

Introduction

Pharmaceutical advertisements hold significant power in shaping public perception of drugs, their efficacies and treatment options. In India, where healthcare access and awareness are often limited, misleading advertisements can have serious consequences. These ads have the potential to mislead customers and even endanger lives by exaggerating benefits or downplaying risks. Misleading advertisements, then, can simply be understood as uncorroborated, unsubstantiated, and often false claims made by pharmaceutical companies about their drugs – the lofty claims made by companies advertising their “COVID curing”[1] drugs to claims regarding “miracle drugs” that can battle life threatening diseases, are all case in point when one refers to misleading advertisements.Continue Reading Prescription for Deception – An Analysis of Pharmaceutical Advertising in India