Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by The Health Master
Pharma Companies
The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has tightened its grip on pharma companies with the introduction of stricter guidelines for marketing practices.
In a bid to ensure transparency and ethical conduct, the DoP has mandated that pharma companies submit detailed reports on their marketing expenditures, including free samples distributed and educational events organized.
A Closer Look at the New Guidelines
The new regulations, implemented as part of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024, require companies to provide a comprehensive breakdown of their marketing activities.
This includes:
- Free Samples: The number of free samples distributed and the specific products involved.
- Educational Events: Details of conferences, workshops, and training programs organized by the company or through third parties.
These particulars must be submitted on an ongoing basis and within two months of the end of each financial year on the DoP’s UCPMP portal.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
The DoP has made it clear that any false or incomplete information provided by pharma companies will result in severe consequences.
Under the Companies Act, 2013, offenders face penalties for misleading or inaccurate reporting.
Key Changes in the UCPMP 2024
The UCPMP 2024 introduces several significant changes compared to its predecessor:
- Brand Reminders: While companies can still provide brand reminders like informational items and free samples, there are strict limits on their value and distribution.
- Gifts and Hospitality: Pharma companies are prohibited from offering gifts, pecuniary advantages, or travel facilities to healthcare professionals, except in specific circumstances.
- CME and CPD Activities: The code outlines guidelines for conducting Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs, including restrictions on foreign locations and eligibility criteria for organizers.
Ensuring Ethical Conduct in the Pharma companies
The DoP’s stringent measures aim to promote ethical behavior and prevent undue influence on healthcare professionals.
By enhancing transparency and accountability, the new guidelines are expected to foster a more trustworthy pharma compnies.
Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
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