Current Regulatory framework of Digital Health in India
Abstract
India’s healthcare system is experiencing a significant transformation with the increasing adoption of digital technologies. The rise of digital health has brought remarkable improvements in the availability, affordability, and patient-centeredness of healthcare services. This article reviews the evolving regulatory landscape governing digital health in India, highlighting existing frameworks, significant initiatives, and ongoing challenges such as fragmented regulations and data protection concerns. It emphasizes the importance of establishing robust regulatory structures to safeguard patient rights and data privacy, thereby fostering sustainable growth in the digital healthcare sector. Additionally, global perspectives on digital health regulations from organizations could provide a context for India's efforts. A balanced approach to regulation will be crucial for the sustainable growth of digital health in India. By strategically addressing digital health challenges, India has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery and achieve universal health coverage, underscoring the necessity of collaboration and innovation in the digital health domain. This article aims to offer meaningful perspectives for policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers, delivering a comprehensive overview of the existing landscape and potential future developments in the regulation of digital healthcare in India.
Downloads
References
https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/311941/9789241550505-eng.pdf?ua=1
2. Desai N Associates, Antani M, Phadke E, Kukade T, Rajesh V. Digital health in India [Internet]. 2024 Aug [cited 2024 Oct 5]. Available from:
https://www.nishithdesai.com/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/Research_Papers/Digital_Health_in_India.pdf
3. Antani M, Shenolikar S, Punnen D, Desai N Associates. Digital health in India: key trends and impact of regulation [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 Oct 2]; 6:(1)1-25. Available from:
https://www.rsrr.in/_files/ugd/286c9c_2d48ff706f154482b04c4b93434b2997.pdf?index=true
4. Jain D. Regulation of digital healthcare in India: ethical and legal challenges. Healthcare [Internet]. 2023 Mar 21[cited 2024 Sep 24];11(6):911. Available from:
doi: 10.3390/healthcare11060911.
5. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 [Internet]. 1940 Apr 10 [cited 2024 Oct 12]. Available from:
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2409?sam_handle=123456789/1362
6. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. National health policy, 2017 [Internet]. MOHFW;2017 [cited 2024 Oct 15]. Available from:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/9147562941489753121.pdf
7. Medical Devices Rules, 2017 [Internet]. CDSCO;2017 Jan 31 [cited 2024 Oct 15]. Available from:
https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2022/m_device/Medical%20Devices%20Rules,%202017.pdf
8. National Medical Device Policy, 2023 [Internet]. 2023 May 03 [cited 2024 Oct 11]. Available from:
https://pharmaceuticals.gov.in/policy/national-medical-device-policy-2023.
9. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (eHealth Section). Notice: Placing the Draft of “Digital Information Security in Healthcare, Act (DISHA)” in Public Domain [Internet]. MOHFW;2018 [cited 2024 Oct 18]. Available from:
https://www.nhp.gov.in/NHPfiles/R_4179_1521627488625_0.pdf.
10. Singh M, Musyuni P. Digital health laws and regulations India 2024 [Internet]. International Comparative Legal Guides. 2024 Mar 04 [cited 2024 Oct 21]. Available from:
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/digital-health-laws-and-regulations/india.
11. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Final report on National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) [Internet]. MOHFW; 2020 [cited 2024 Oct 15]. Available from:
https://mohfw.gov.in/newshighlights/final-report-national-digital-health-blueprint-ndhb.
12. Medical Commission Act 2019 [Internet]. nmc.org; 2023 Aug 03 [cited 2024 Oct 20]. Available from:
https://www.nmc.org.in/rules-regulations/national-medical-commission-registered-medical-practitioner-professional-conduct-regulations-2023-reg/.
13. Dinakaran D, Manjunatha N, Kumar CN, Math SB. Telemedicine practice guidelines of India, 2020: Implications and challenges. Indian J Psychiatry [Internet]. 2021 Jan 01 [cited 2024 Oct 18];63(1):97–101. Available from:
doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_476_20.
14. Bhattacharya S, Saleem S, Hossain M. Implementing National Digital Health Blueprint in India: The future opportunities and challenges. Int J Prev Med [Internet]. 2022 Jan 1 [cited 2024 Oct 18];13(1):99. Available from:
doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_418_20
15. National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023 [Internet]. 2023 Aug 03 [cited 2024 Oct 19]. Available from:
https://www.nmc.org.in/rules-regulations/national-medical-commission-registered-medical-practitioner-professional-conduct-regulations-2023-reg/.
16. E-Sanjeevani 2020 [Internet]. Esanjeevani; 2020 [cited 2024 Oct 19]. Available from:
https://esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in/.
17. Digital Health Data Management Policy 2021 [Internet]. Hispindia; 2020 Jul [cited 2024 Oct 19]. Available from:
https://hispindia.org/docs/ndhm.pdf.
18. National Digital Health Mission Strategy Overview [Internet]. National Digital Health Mission; 2020 Jul [cited 2024 Oct 22];1–31. Available from:
https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-09/ndhm_strategy_overview.pdf.
19. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Draft Health Data Management Policy [Internet]. 2022 Apr [cited 2024 Oct 22];1–35. Available from:
https://abdm.gov.in:8081/uploads/Draft_HDM_Policy_April2022_e38c82eee5.pdf
20. Explainer on Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) [Internet]. 2024 Apr 04 [cited 2024 Oct 27]. Available from:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2017129.
21. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Revolutionizing healthcare: Digital innovations in India’s health sector [Internet]. 2024 Jan 15 [cited 2024 Oct 27]. Available from:
https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/jan/doc2024115298601.pdf
22. Meslamani AZA. Technical and regulatory challenges of digital health implementation in developing countries. J Med Econ [Internet]. 2023 Aug 18 [cited 2024 Oct 27];26(1):1057–60. Available from:
doi:10.1080/13696998.2023.2249757
23. Lad NRA, Padroo NBS. Advancements and challenges in digital health implementation in India: A comprehensive literature review. World J Biol Pharm Health Sci [Internet]. 2024 Apr 16 [cited 2024 Oct 27];18(1):205–8. Available from: doi:10.30574/wjbphs.2024.18.1.0186.
24. Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP ACT), 2023 [Internet]. Lawrbit. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct 27]. Available from:
https://www.lawrbit.com/article/digital-personal-data-protection-bill-2023/.
25. He Y, Aliyu A, Evans M, Luo C. Health care cybersecurity challenges and solutions under the climate of COVID-19: Scoping review. J Med Internet Res [Internet]. 2021 Mar 25 [cited 2024 Oct 28];23(4):e21747. Available from:
https://www.jmir.org/2021/4/e21747/
26. Mathias R, McCulloch P, Chalkidou A, Gilbert S. Digital health technologies need regulation and reimbursement that enable flexible interactions and groupings. NPJ Digit Med [Internet]. 2024 Jun 18 [cited 2024 Oct 28];7(1). Available from:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-024-01147-z#Bib1.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The International Journal of Drug Regulatory affairs require a formal written transfer of copyright from the author(s) for each article published. We therefore ask you to complete and return this form, retaining a copy for your records. Your cooperation is essential and appreciated. Any delay will result in a delay in publication.
I/we have read and agree with the terms and conditions stated Page 2 of this agreement and I/we hereby confirm the transfer of all copyrights in and relating to the above-named manuscript, in all forms and media, now or hereafter known, to the International Journal of Drug Regulatory affairs, effective from the date stated below. I/we acknowledge that the IJDRA is relying on this agreement in publishing the above-named manuscript. However, this agreement will be null and void if the manuscript is not published in the IJDRA.
Download link for COPYRIGHT FORM





