Supreme Court Directs Centre to Form Panel on Pharmaceutical Freebies to Doctors

The Supreme Court directed the Union government to constitute a committee to recommend measures against unethical pharmaceutical marketing incentives offered to medical practitioners.

Background

The litigation concerns gifts and other benefits allegedly used to influence prescriptions and the adequacy of existing rules for interactions between drug companies and doctors.

Legal issue

The Court is examining whether the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices and related regulatory arrangements require stronger statutory support.

Court’s approach

Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked that the committee examine representations and submit recommendations to the Centre. The Court listed compliance consideration for January 29.

What follows

The order establishes a policy-review process; it does not itself create a new criminal offence or decide allegations against any pharmaceutical company.