Lok Sabha Question No. 1954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Unethical Marketing Practices
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1954 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## UNETHICAL MARKETING PRACTICES

## 1954. SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the incidents of unethical marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies which have to  the  notice  of  the  Government  during  each of  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year, State/UT - wise  and  company -wise  along  with  action  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  in such cases so far;
- (b)  whether  the  Uniform  Code  for  Pharmaceutical  Marketing  Practices  formulated  by  t Government hasachieved the desired results;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  received  suggestions  from  various  quarters  to  prevent unethical marketing practices by the said companies during the said period; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/being taken by the Government suggestions so far?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): The Department of Pharmaceuticals has received four major complaints against some Pharmaceutical companies on unethical marketing practices from Jan Swasthaya Abhiyan, Punjab Medical Council and some individuals. As informed by Department of Pharmaceuticals,  the  complaints  received  have  been  forwarded  to  concerned  Pharma Associations  for  necessary  action  as  per  the  provisions  of  the Uniform  Code  for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) (list as per annexure ).
- (b)  &  (c): The  Department  of  Pharmaceuticals  has  prepared  a  Uniform  Code  for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) for voluntary adoption by Pharmaceutical companies with effect from 01.01.2015 as guidance to the industry for promotion and marketing of drugs and medical devices. With the voluntary adoption of UCPMP, it is expected that drug promotion is done within ethical limits and boundaries. No instances

of  unsuccessful  implementation  of  UCPMP  by  Pharma  Associations/companies  have been noticed by the Government.

(d) & (e): The  Department of Pharmaceuticals has received suggestions for examination relating to mandatory implementation of UCPMP from Pharma Associations in order to increase accountability and ensure high ethical standards for the pharmaceutical industry.

## Annexure

- (i) Complaint dated  20.10.2015  received  from  Punjab  Medical  Council  against doctors  receiving  financial  gratifications  from  various  Pharmaceutical  companies  (Eris Lifesciences  Pvt.  Ltd.,  Merck  Ltd,  Glenmark  Pharmaceuticals  Ltd.,  Bayer  Healthcare, Lupin Ltd. MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Cryobanks International India Private Ltd., Sanofi  India  Ltd.,  Sun  Pharmaceutical  Industries,  Life  Cell  International  Private  Ltd., USV Private Ltd., Torrent Pharma, Cordlife Sciences India Pvt. Ltd, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Abbot Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., E-Meditek (TPA) Services Limited, USV Private Ltd., Bristol-Mayers Squibb  India Pvt. Ltd., CMR  Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim)
- (ii) Complaint dated 16.02.2016 received from Punjab Medical Council against M/s Intas for luring doctors for prescribing their medicines by financing for their travel and stay.
- (iii) Complaint  received  in  2015  from  Jan  Swasthaya  Abhiyan  against  various USV Private Ltd, Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd and Mecleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd regarding giving money to doctors for promotion of their brand of medicines.
- (iv) Complaints  dated  16.02.2018  received  from  Shri  Prasanta  Kumar  Sen against  Acinta  Pharmaceuticals  Private  Limited  for  giving  bribe  to  doctors,  medical shopkeepers  and unauthorised  medical  practitioners to sell  their  pharmaceutical products.