Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers issued Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers issued Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024

Posted 13 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • Previously, UCPMP for Pharma industry was issued in 2014, which was voluntary in nature. 
     
  • Key highlights of the UCPMP 2024
    • Information about drugs must be balanced, up-to-date, verifiable, must not mislead either directly or by implication.
    • Claims and comparison: Brand names of products of other companies must not be used without prior consent.
      • Comparisons of drugs must be factual, fair, and capable of substantiation.
    • Textual and Audio-Visual Promotion: Promotional material such as mailings and journal advertisements must not be designed to disguise their real nature.
    • Continuing Medical Education: Should only be allowed through a well-defined, transparent, and verifiable set of guidelines.
    • Relationship with healthcare professionals: No gifts, monetary grants, pecuniary advantage, etc., should be offered.
    • Ethics Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices: In each association for handling complaints.
    • Other provisions: Department of Pharmaceuticals may issue standing orders for removal of difficulties in operation of UCPMP.
      • It shall also apply mutatis mutandis to medical devices unless exempted, or to the extent modified by standing orders.

 

Need of UCPMP

  • Patient Safety: Unethical marketing that downplays risks or misrepresents benefits can adversely affect patient safety.
  • Responsible innovation: To ensure resources are directed towards medications that address genuine medical needs.
  • Professional integrity: To uphold integrity of healthcare professionals by ensuring that prescriptions are based on unbiased and accurate information.
  • Tags :
  • Pharma industry
  • UCPMP 2024
  • Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices
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