The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the central government to set up a dedicated committee to review recommendations and propose measures aimed at stopping unethical marketing practices across the pharmaceutical industry.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed the Union government to evaluate various representations through the committee before submitting its recommendations. The court scheduled the matter for January 29 to examine the Centre’s compliance affidavit.
Plea For Regulatory Guidelines
The directive came during the hearing of a petition requesting the apex court to establish interim regulatory guidelines to curb and monitor promotional malpractice by drug manufacturers until an effective statute is enacted.
Centre’s Proposed Statutory Framework
During a hearing on September 8, the Union government conceded that existing oversight mechanisms required strengthening to deter unethical conduct within the pharmaceutical sector. At the time, the Centre informed the bench that it had decided to constitute a three-member panel to evaluate the feasibility and scope of introducing a statutory framework.
The government had requested an eight-week window to finalize the committee’s report and submit it for judicial approval.
Interim Oversight Mechanism
The Centre stated that until the committee delivers its report and subsequent administrative decisions are made, promotional conduct in the sector will remain governed by the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024.
