In an attempt to safeguard patients' privacy, the health ministry plans to bring out a law to protect health data and medical information. The proposed law will have specific provisions for collection, storage and dissemination of individual health data.

While the ministry has roped in National Law School, Bengaluru, to put together the first draft of the law, it also plans to set up an e-health authority for standardisation of such data and to ensure confidentiality. The proposed law will also have provisions for action against any breach of data, which is in huge demand mainly in the drug manufacturing industry.