The Department of Pharmaceuticals, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, has introduced the new Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024.
The guidelines regulate marketing practices within the Indian pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on promoting ethical engagement between companies and healthcare professionals.
While intended as an upgrade from the 2014 guidelines, many perceive the UCPMP as akin to its predecessor, lacking statutory enforcement and remaining voluntary in nature.
These new guidelines have been formed after the 2022 Supreme Court judgement where the government had asked to upgrade them, after bringing everyone to the discussion table.
In 2022, the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India (FMRAI) filed a petition in the Supreme Court, aiming to make the UCPMP statutory.
The Union Government stated that it is functioning adequately. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court directed the government to reconsider again with consultation from all stakeholders.
“They stated that the panel had not involved individuals with grievances, instead opting to consult the pharmaceutical management,” shares President of FMRAI Ramesh Sundar R.
Malini Aisola, Co-convenor of AIDAN shared, “None of the loopholes have been plugged, rather legitimizes many problematic payments through which pharma promotion takes place.”