Uniform Marketing Code for Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Companies
Uniform Code for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices
The government has mandated the implementation of a uniform code for marketing practices in the medical devices sector. This initiative is similar to the existing marketing code for pharmaceutical companies. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) aims to curb unethical practices within the industry.
Implementation Guidelines
- Establish an Ethics Committee for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices (ECMPMD).
- Publish the Uniform Code for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices (UCMPMD) 2024 on official websites.
- Facilitate complaints regarding marketing practices via the UCMPMD portal.
Rajiv Nath from the Association of Indian Medical Devices Industry (AIMED) welcomed this initiative, stating its necessity for the sector. The guidelines will specifically address the distribution of evaluation samples and expenditures related to education, conferences, and training events, similar to regulations imposed on pharmaceutical companies.
Previous Regulations
Earlier this year, the government introduced the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) for pharmaceutical firms. This ensured ethical conduct by prohibiting extravagant practices such as offering healthcare professionals hotel stays and expensive meals while attending workshops abroad.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.