Pharma companies- New Marketing Code : 13 Mar 2024

Key Points:

Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices:

• The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) in 2024.
• Rules for using the words “safe” and “new” for drugs were specified.
• Medical representatives should not use any inducements or subterfuge to gain an interview.
• They must not pay for access to healthcare professionals under any guise.

Engagement with Healthcare Professionals:

• Engagement for Continuing Medical Education (CME) should follow transparent guidelines.
• Conducting events in foreign locations is prohibited.
• Cash or monetary grants should not be paid to healthcare professionals or their family members.

Gifting and Benefits:

• Gifting by pharmaceutical companies or their agents is prohibited.
• No pecuniary advantage or benefit in kind can be offered to persons qualified to prescribe or supply drugs.

Compliance and Drug Promotion:

• Promotion of a drug must align with its marketing approval.
• Claims about a drug’s usefulness need to be based on up-to-date evidence.
• The word “safe” must not be used without qualification.
• It must not be claimed that a medicine has no side effects, toxic hazards, or risk of addiction.

Why in news?

The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), 2024.