Can't directly deal with complaints of unethical practices: Department of pharmaceuticals

New Delhi: The Department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) has admitted in Parliament that under the uniform code of ethical marketing promotion (UCPMP), there is no provision for it to directly deal with complaints received regarding unethical practices by pharma companies. Yet, a big exercise is underway to make pharma associations submit quarterly reports to drug price regulator.

“As per UCPMP, any complaint received against a pharmaceutical company is to be handled by an Ethical Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices, that is, to be constituted in each of the pharmaceutical associations,” it said in response to a question in the Parliament on September 18.

“DoP has been following up with pharma associations to implement the code effectively. This department has also taken multiple meetings with associations, most of whom have put UCPMP on their websites and constituted committees for handling complaints regarding breach of UCPMP.”

The government also held a meeting on September 4, asking pharma companies and associations to submit a quarterly report on implementation of uniform code of ethical marketing promotion.

DoP also asked pharma associations to submit compliance report and form committees to look into action taken on the complaints. Pharma lobby groups and associations have been asked to make sure companies adhere to marketing norms during their conferences, despite the clear failure to self-regulate by pharma companies.

Malini Aisola, co-convenor, All India Drugs Action Network (AIDAN) said the meetings by the government are eyewash. “It is sheer absurdity that the government is trying to monitor a self-regulatory mechanism of the industry that it has no tools to enforce. The DoP Secretary has admitted that under the code, only associations can take action against companies. To make matters worse, NPPA, the agency that had been tasked by DoP to oversee UCPMP implementation, has conceded it is neither mandated nor authorised to monitor pharma marketing practices. This is just days after it instructed associations and companies to submit quarterly reports to its office.”

Earlier DoP had even said it had received grievances that pharma companies “arrange hotels, accommodations, local sight-seeing” in conferences conducted by the doctors.

UCPMP has been voluntarily adopted by pharma companies since 2015. However, concerns over the influence of offering gifts to medical professionals by pharmaceutical companies have surged from time to time.

The meeting was attended by the secretary DoP, other officials in DoP, NPPA chairperson along with members of the associations including Indian Pharmaceutical Assocaition (IPA)-that represent the top pharma companies, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), among others.

“We have been pressing for a legal instrument to replace the voluntary code and submitted evidence of unethical practices. Yet, DoP has not held a single consultation with civil society in the last two years. The whole process is an eyewash," Aisola added.