2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Orders Centre Panel on Pharma Marketing Practices
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to form a committee about how medicine companies promote their products.
The committee will review suggestions and representations.
It will then recommend what the government should do.
The case was brought by a group seeking rules against unethical marketing.
The Centre had earlier said it planned a three-member panel.
It had also said stronger safeguards may be needed.
The court will check the Centre’s compliance affidavit on January 29.
Until a decision is made, the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024, will continue to apply.
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to constitute a committee on unethical pharmaceutical marketing practices.
The committee is to consider suggestions and representations and recommend measures to the Union government.
The order came in a petition seeking safeguards until an effective law is enacted.
The Centre had told the court it was setting up a three-member panel to examine whether a statutory framework was needed.
The matter is listed for January 29, when the court will consider the Centre’s compliance affidavit.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, and the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association.
- What
- The court directed the Centre to constitute a committee to examine suggestions and recommend measures on unethical pharmaceutical marketing.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The order was reported on October 8; the matter is listed for January 29.
- Why
- A petition sought regulation of pharmaceutical companies’ marketing practices until an effective law is enacted.
Key facts
- Bench
- Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
- Committee
- The Centre had said it was setting up a three-member panel.
- Committee task
- Consider suggestions and representations and make recommendations to the Union government.
- Next court date
- January 29, for consideration of the Centre’s compliance affidavit.
- Petition filed
- The Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association filed the petition in 2021.
- Interim code
- The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024, will continue to apply until the report is received and a decision is taken.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench
The bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
“The detailed discussions have taken place and with a view to find out the possible solution, it is decided to constitute a three-member committee requesting them to provide their report on the issues as to whether and if yes, what can be the statutory framework to ensure that pharmaceutical companies also do not indulge into such unethical practices.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“We have directed the Union of India to constitute a committee and the committee will consider the suggestions, representations and thereafter give its recommendations to the Union of India.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Constitute committee to ensure pharma firms don’t indulge in unethical practices: SC to Centre
SC Directs Centre To Form Panel On Unethical Pharma Marketing
Supreme Court asks Centre to form panel to prevent pharma companies from indulging in unethical practices
Supreme Court directs Centre to set up panel on pharma firms' marketing practices
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