Source: THE HINDU-7th February,2020
Despite several instances of breach of the voluntary Uniform Code of
Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) by pharma companies, and the demand
from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and doctors to make it mandatory, the
Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), which comes under the Ministry of Chemicals
and Fertilizers, has yet again “requested companies to abide by UCPMP” — in a
written communication on February 4 — after the announcement of two more
planned events.
In its letter, the Department has noted that it has “received a grievance
alleging that pharma companies arrange hotels, accommodation in five star
hotels, local sight-seeing, etc. in conferences conducted by doctors. Similar
annual national conference of Indian Psychiatric Society 2020 will be conducted
in Kolkata and in 2021 at Vishakhapatnam”.
“Pharma associations are requested to make sure that the pharma
accompanies adhere to the provisions of UCPMP and no unethical promotion of
pharma products be done during the conference,” concludes the letter.
Speaking about the move, health research
and member of the All India Drug Action Network Malini Aisola noted that rather
than taking steps towards instituting statutory regulation of unethical
marketing and promotion, the DoP is still requesting companies to abide by a
toothless, unenforceable UCPMP.
“Given that all stakeholders, now including various industry
associations, the IMA and doctors bodies, civil society and patients groups are
in agreement about bringing in a regulation, we cannot understand why the DoP
is refusing to make compliance under the UCPMP compulsory,” she added.
Unethical marketing
Experts working in the area have long demanded that in the context of
unethical marketing and promotion, the DoP should immediately implement a
mandatory mechanism for company disclosures of payments towards doctors and
professional bodies, including via third parties. The disclosures, which should
be made at intervals and put in the public domain, should include the amount
spent, individual or entity to which payment was made, and the reason for
payment, including any services rendered.
The Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH) has also demanded
this.
“It is unfortunate that even after five years, the code remains
voluntary. This is despite the fact that several medical organisations have
demanded this repeatedly from the government. The global experience also shows
that voluntary code does not work,”’ said ADEH member K.V. Babu.
According to Clause 7.2 of the UCPMP “companies or their associations/
representatives shall not extend any hospitality like hotel accommodation to
healthcare practitioners and their family members under any pretext”.
“The implied meaning of this is that even extending benefits to the
doctors through associations is unethical. But this is being flouted with
impunity,” Mr. Babu added.
