In a move to curb the unethical practice of pharma companies seeking to influence doctors and chemists through expensive "gifts", the government is set to impose a ceiling of Rs 1,000 on the value of such giveaways. The government is also considering a blanket ban on expensive freebies such as cruise or vacation tickets and sponsored educational conferences and seminars that can be means of making payments and offering benefits.
The Rs 1,000 cap is considered sufficient for drug manufacturers to offer items intended to ensure brand recall. The department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) is in the final stages of issuing an executive order making Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) mandatory for the drug manufacturing industry. The order will cover doctors, chemists and hospitals and the states.
The health ministry and Medical Council of India have been consulted on the decision. Once the executive order is issued by DoP, the code will be binding on all the stakeholders and any violation of the norms will attract punishment and penalty. "It can vary from a warning to the cancellation of license depending upon the extent of the violation," the official said.
Highlights
- The govt is also considering a blanket ban on expensive freebies such as cruise or vacation tickets.
- The department will soon issue an order making Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices mandatory for the drug manufacturing industry.
- The executive order will cover doctors, chemists, hospitals, and states.
