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NEWS

GOVERNMENT SEEKS DETAILS FROM DRUG COMPANIES ON FREEBIES TO DOCTORS

GIFTS TO DOCTORS AND TRAVEL SPONSORSHIP PROHIBITED AS PER 2024 REGULATIONS

As the Covid pandemic swept across the country, Dolo-650 became In the case of distributing free samples, the department has sought
India’s most prescribed drug, selling over 3.5 billion pills since the details of month, year, monetary value of the samples, details of
outbreak in early 2020. Just as the pandemic was receding in the middle recipient and domestic sales revenue of the particular drug. In the case
of 2022, Dolo’s manufacturer Micro Labs Ltd found itself in the tax of events, the authorities have asked for details including month, year,
departments net for allegedly extending freebies worth Rs. 1,000 crores total number of events and expenditure incurred.
to doctors to prescribe the pain and fever reliever. The move comes after several pharmaceutical
The government has decided to focus on the companies were found offering freebies,
marketing practices of pharmaceutical firms amid prompting the government to notify the Uniform
reports of these companies offering a range of Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices
freebies to doctors to promote their medicines. 2024 (UCPMP) in March this year, which bans
These include drugs like pain medications and freebies to doctors for prescribing specific brands.
antiobiotics routinely prescribed by dentists. Additionally the UCPMP also notes that
The department of pharmaceuticals has written paid travel, hotel stays, etc., should not be
to pharma companies seeking expenditure details extended to doctors or their family members by
on distribution of free samples, and expenses incurred on organizing pharmaceutical companies or their representatives, unless the person
conferences and workshops, as part of a broader initiative to curb is a speaker for the event.
unethical marketing practices. The particulars must be filed on ongoing The Government has also asked pharma associations to appoint
basis and mandatorily within two months of every financial year, the nodal officers from each company to oversee the enforcement of the
department said in a recent communication as published in The Mint. Uniform Code for Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices.

MAHARASHTRA ENFORCES NEW POLICY Global presence at IDS 2025: Looking forward
FOR MBBS/BDS CANDIDATES: ONE-YEAR
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SERVICE AND RS to around 2,000 exhibitors in Cologne
10 LAKH PENALTY FOR LEAVING INDIA The International Dental Show (IDS) is consolidating its
position as the world’s leading trade fair for the dental
Maharashtra has announced a new policy industry once again in 2025. Over 1,300 exhibitors,
mandating a one-year compulsory social including all of the important industry players, have
responsibility service for MBBS and BDS confirmed their participation at the 41st edition that is
students admitted to government and being staged in Cologne from 25 to 29 March 2025. In
municipal colleges, government-aided or addition, around 500 participants are awaited in country
unaided private institutions, or those receiving pavilions from all continents. Once again the trade fair will
government scholarships. The policy, effective cover the entire spectrum of the dental world - from the
for students completing their mandatory dental and dental technology section, infection protection
internships, also includes a requirement to sign and maintenance, through to services, information, communication and organisation
an undertaking to remain in India for five years systems. Due to this entirety and the high number of innovations presented, IDS does
post-degree, with a Rs 10 lakh penalty for non- justice to its significance as a forward-looking trendsetter of the industry.
compliance. In light of the global reach of IDS, Koelnmesse is expecting a high number of visitors
The new regulation, specifies that students again. As such, the trade fair organisation recommends that all of the visitors begin planning
benefiting from fee reimbursements or their visit in good time. The ticket shop will already be online in mid-November 2024. All
scholarships also must fulfill this service tickets for IDS 2025 can exclusively be ordered online and will be issued as personalised
obligation. This applies to admissions through tickets. The visitors benefit from flexible ticket management that is tailor-made to satisfy
various quotas, including GOI nominees, All individual needs. The ticket can for instance be managed via the official IDS app, uploaded
India quota, and state quota through NEET UG into the smartphone wallet or printed out in the classic manner.
from 2022 onward. From the beginning of March on, the online platform that accompanies the fair,
The Brochure outlines that candidates IDSconnect, will offer extended networking and preparation options. From learning
who breach the commitment by leaving India sessions, online seminars through to corporate and product presentations, the tool makes
within five years will incur a non-refundable manifold opportunities available so that the unique IDS feeling can be experienced beyond
penalty of Rs 10 lakh. the exhibition halls prior to, during and after the trade fair.

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