Pharma code voluntary for 6 months: Govt

The pharma industry already has a code of conduct but this is the first time the government is stepping in to frame its own code.

Representatives of the pharmaceutical industry said that the code should be voluntary rather than mandatory and offered to have an ombudsman to ensure compliance.

We are hoping to have the code in place by August. We suggested that if it does not work for six months on a voluntary basis,it would be made mandatory and we have all the legal powers to do that, said a senior official in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

The industry has raised objections about several clauses in the code,including the restriction on the number of samples to be given. The code,they felt,was too harsh and should instead be aligned to the existing guidelines for doctors as prescribed by the Medical Council of India.

The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India has already put in place its own code of conduct and updated it with the revision of Medical Council of India guidelines.