Panel Headed by NITI Aayog Member Dr M. Srinivas to Review Existing Rules and Strengthen Oversight of Pharma Industry

New Delhi, October 23(HS): The Centre has constituted a committee to curb unethical marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies and strengthen the monitoring and compliance framework governing the sector. Set up by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the committee will undertake a comprehensive review of existing rules regulating commercial interactions between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. It has been asked to submit its recommendations within two months of its first meeting.

Dr M. Srinivas, a member of NITI Aayog, has been appointed chairperson of the committee. Its members include former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan and Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Department of Pharmaceuticals said the committee would identify unethical practices associated with pharmaceutical marketing and assess the effectiveness of existing monitoring, regulatory control and compliance mechanisms. The exercise is aimed at improving transparency and accountability while ensuring more effective adherence to the prescribed rules.

The committee will also examine whether additional legal or statutory provisions are required to strengthen the existing regulatory framework. As part of its review, it will consult relevant stakeholders, technical and professional experts, and institutions before evaluating the suggestions received and formulating its recommendations.

The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) was introduced in 2015 to promote ethical standards in pharmaceutical marketing. Initially, it operated as a voluntary, industry-led self-regulatory mechanism intended to ensure that companies' promotional activities adhered to ethical principles and that their interactions with healthcare professionals were appropriately regulated.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals subsequently introduced the UCPMP, 2024, replacing the earlier 2015 code and strengthening the framework for its implementation. The 2024 code was amended in September 2025, and the amended framework remains in force.

The existing code provides guidelines for the responsible promotion of pharmaceutical products and governs interactions between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. It also incorporates mechanisms for handling complaints and addressing violations of prescribed marketing standards.

The newly constituted committee will assess how effectively the current framework prevents unethical marketing practices and identify areas where monitoring, enforcement and compliance mechanisms could be improved.

Its recommendations are expected to help strengthen ethical business conduct in the pharmaceutical sector, improve regulatory oversight and reinforce accountability in the marketing of medicines.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar