The government is planning to make the code of conduct which bans unethical marketing practices doling out freebies and sponsoring jaunts of doctors mandatory on the drug and medical devices industry, making it tighter and providing teeth to it. The code banning cruise tickets, freebies and exotic paid-vacations for doctors, sponsored by drug companies, is voluntary at present, but with concerns being expressed that it lacks "teeth", and with rampant violations, the government seems to be veering around to make it binding by making it a regulation.
The government has started discussions with the stakeholders, as the code is voluntary till August, industry sources said, adding a final call on the matter will be taken by the year-end, and changes if any will be implemented only next year. In a series of meetings held last week with the industry, consumer and health activists, the…
