(a) whether the Government: has made it a mandatory code to bar
pharrna industry from luring the doctors and drug control officials
with .gifts and hospitality;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the mariner in which the Government plans to monitor the tactics of
pharma industry to lure both doctors/chemists and drug control
officials?
MINISTER OF STATE(INPEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER Of STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) to (c): There were some reports in the newspapers in the recent past regarding promotional expenses being made by the Pharma Companies. The reports suggested that some unethical marketing practices are oeing followed by certain pharma companies. Keeping in view the seriousness of the allegations made in the media reports, this Department felt the need to take up the matter in the interest of the consumers/patients as such promotional expenses being extended to doctors had direct implications on the pricing of drugs and its affordabiiity. After discussing the issues with the Pharma Associations/Industry, this Department has prepared a draft `Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices` (UCPMP) which is to be adopted voluntarily in the first instance. The UCPMP was put up on the Department`s website www.Pharmaceuticals.gov.in for inviting the comments from all the stakeholders. The comments received were examined and draft UCPMP has been prepared and circulated to the pharma association for their comments. The same has been received and the UCPMP is being finalized.