The Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 draws from the ‘Ethical Criteria for Medicinal Drug Promotion’ as endorsed by the World Health Organization. It lays down ethical norms for interaction between pharma companies and health care practitioners, for an industry critical for patient and health care.
UCPMP 2024 is a mandatory code wherein the Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (ECPMP) are at the level of pharma associations and appeal is at the level of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
The Code strives to strike a balance between co-operative and collaborative compliance.
The aim of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 is to establish and uphold the highest standards of ethical practices in the pharmaceutical industry. UCPMP aims to ensure that all promotional activities and interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals are conducted transparently, responsibly, and in accordance with established ethical norms
Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)
Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association
(IDMA)
Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of
India (OPPI)
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) All Indian Pharmaceutical Associations will upload the UCPMP on their websites, along with detailed procedures for lodging complaints. These procedures will be linked to the UCPMP portal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
Ethics Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices (ECPMP):
- * Each association will have an ECPMP chaired by its Chief Executive Officer.
- * The committee will consist of three to five members, approved by the Board of the Association.
- * The committee's composition will be prominently displayed on the association's website.
Complaint Transfer Process:
- * If a complaint is received by an association but does not concern its members, the association will input an abstract of the complaint and transfer it to the relevant association where the respondent company is a member.
- * For companies not members of any association or members of multiple associations, the complaint will be handled by the association to which the complaint was addressed. Guidance from the Department of Pharmaceuticals will be sought if necessary.
Transparency and Reporting:
- * All pharmaceutical associations will publish the details of complaints received on their websites. This will include the nature of the complaint, the company against whom the complaint was made, the current status of the complaint, and actions taken by the ECPMP.
- * These details will remain uploaded for five years and will also be shared on the UCPMP portal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals
If a party to the complaint (complainant or the respondent entity) is dissatisfied with the decision of the ECPMP, they may file an appeal before the Apex Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices (ACPMP). This committee is headed by the Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and includes a Joint Secretary and a Finance Officer as members.
Time Limit: The appeal must be filed within 15 days, with an additional 15 days permitted for reasonable delays, provided reasons are recorded in writing.
Process: The ACPMP will notify both parties, provide a reasonable opportunity for them to be heard, and issue a final decision or ruling within six months
The decision on appeal will be final and binding on both parties
