The Modi government has warned the drug maker companies against bribing doctors for their benefit. The government has warned pharma companies to strictly adhere to rules while marketing medicines and medical devices, after a report revealed glaring instances of pharma companies bribing doctors.
In the report published by the NGO, Support for Advocacy and Training Health (SATHI), it is revealed that the medical companies bribe doctors with foreign trips, expensive smartphones, purchase of cars and even a female companion.
At the review meeting a few days back, three drug maker associations – Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), Indian Pharmaceutical Alliances (IPA) and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) have been pulled up by the government for not complying with the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP).
“Drug makers have been warned to follow UCPMP; else the government will be forced to make it a statutory provision under the law. This will restrict the marketing practices of the drug makers and effect sales”, a senior official of Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) said.
