Government of India Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Department of Pharmaceuticals has issued Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices. All Pharmaceutical associations have been advised to constitute an Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (ECPMP), set up a dedicated UCPMP portal on their website, and take further necessary steps towards implementation of this Code.

 The Uniform Code for Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 mentions guidelines related to claims and comparisons made by pharma companies and textual and audio-visual promotion of drugs. It also mentions detail guidelines regarding duties of medical representatives, duties of pharma companies in relation to brand promotion and their relation with healthcare professionals.

In realtion to Continuing Medical Education it has been specifically mentioned that  engagement of pharmaceutical industry with the healthcare professionals for Continuing Medical Education (CME), Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or otherwise for conference, seminar, workshop, etc. should only be allowed through a well-defined, transparent, and verifiable set of guidelines based on which the pharmaceutical industry may undertake such expenditures.

The pharma companies have been advised to not to offer gifts, travel facilities or any kind of hospitality or monetory grants to healthcare professionals.

Access the original document here-

Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024