Govt May Ask Pharma Cos to Curb Unethical Promotion of Drugs By Inducing Doctors
January 15, 2009, Pharmabiz


A set of common guidelines binding on all pharma companies or a joint mechanism of the sort by the industry may be evolved soon to curb the unethical trade practices of inducing doctors for favours by some companies, thanks to a belated but strong resolve by the government to reign in on the ractice. Stung by public criticism and concern by the government, the leading pharma associations have agreed to come up with more effective ethical guidelines and discuss the matter again in a bid to draft some common guidelines or joint mechanism in this regard. At a meeting called by the pharmaceutical department secretary other day and attended by all associations and CEOs of some major companies, they have decided to meet again sometime in April to thrash out common guidelines, it is learnt. In the wake of recent media reports which prompted the government to call the meeting, pharma secretary expressed strong concern on the practice and government desire to see the industry taking some voluntary steps to curb it. Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) had said that they have a code of ethics for the members and the promotional expenses by them were below 9 per cent on an average. The same was spent on promotion on products.