Supreme Court directs Centre to recommend statutory framework to curb unethical pharmaceutical marketing practices

The Supreme Court has directed the Union Government to constitute a committee to recommend statutory regulations to curb unethical marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies, including the offering of gifts, hospitality, sponsored travel and other inducements to doctors. The committee must examine the adequacy of the existing regulatory framework, including the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), 2024, and assess the effectiveness of existing monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.