2. 2 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
3. Foreword
Recent media articles have brought to the fore the On the other hand, the Medical Council of India amended
nexus between health care professionals (HCPs) and its guidelines in 2009 to regulate the conduct of medical
pharmaceutical companies. HCPs are lured by promises of practitioners, to keep pace with the changing medical
costly gifts and foreign trips to exotic locales in the guise scenario in the country. It has introduced new regulations
of seminars and conferences in return for prescribing a with regard to the relationships of HCPs with pharmaceutical
company’s products. This tends to impair the judgment and allied health sector companies.
g^ l`] @;H m] lg Y [gfÖa[l g^ afl]j]kl Z]lo]]f hYla]fl
Along with these guidelines and code of marketing, India
safety and personal gain. Several other instances of
has adopted a two-tier approach that covers HCPs (doctors)
unethical behaviour on the part of HCPs and pharmaceutical
and pharmaceutical companies operating in the country,
companies frequently keep making the news.
to create a transparent and ethical environment that
Indian regulators have been attempting to effectively oadd Z]f]Õl [gfkme]jk& @go]n]j$ ada_]fl Yf ]^^][lan]
regulate and monitor the professional conduct of medical implementation of the regulations and periodically
practitioners and pharmaceutical companies for a long monitoring them is imperative to ensure that the intent of
time. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) under the the legislation is interpreted uniformly and a level playing
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, Õ]d ak eYaflYaf] ^gj Ydd hdYq]jk&
has been recently formed to look into the activities of the
At Ernst & Young, we have conducted a survey among
pharmaceutical industry. In order to check any irregularities
HCPs and pharmaceutical companies to understand their
the DoP introduced a voluntary draft uniform code of
perspective of the MCI’s guidelines and the DoP’s marketing
pharmaceutical marketing practices (UCPMP) for the Indian
[g]& O] Yj] hd]Yk] lg k`Yj] l`] Õfaf_k g^ gmj klmq oal`
pharmaceutical industry in June 2011. Some of the areas
you in this report.
covered in the code include claims and comparisons of
medicinal products, advertising and promotional material, We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the
the activities and conduct of medical representatives as people and organizations who took time to respond to our
well as the hospitality extended and gifts given to HCPs. kmjn]q& L`] j]hgjl Yf l`] Õfaf_k ogmd fgl `Yn] l`] kYe]
Voluntary implementation of the UCPMP by pharmaceutical value without the support of these respondents and all those
associations and companies will be reviewed after six months who made the survey successful.
from its initiation, and if it is discovered that it has not been
effectively implemented, the Government may consider O] `gh] qgm Õf l`ak j]hgjl j]d]nYfl Yf afka_`l^md&
making this a statutory code.
Arpinder Singh
Partner and National Director
Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services (FIDS)
Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd.
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 3
4. Contents
Executive summary 5
Marketing of pharmaceutical products 6
Recordkeeping of samples and hospitality provided 8
Impact on pharmaceutical sales 10
Effectiveness of regulations 12
Need for robust internal controls 14
Annexure 16
4 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
5. Executive summary
The ethical conduct of health care professionals is vital 2. Part two was conducted among health care
for maintaining professional autonomy, integrity and professionals on the guidelines issued by the Medical
independence in their interactions with pharmaceutical Council of India (MCI) regarding its code of conduct for
and allied health care organizations. Implementation of HCPs in their relationship with pharmaceutical and allied
good marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies health care companies.
demonstrates their adoption of ethical practices and
transparency in their operations.
This survey is an attempt to provide an insight into how
Methodology
current regulations are affecting health care professionals
and the pharmaceutical industry. Ernst & Young was assisted by a market research
agency in conducting interviews.
The survey is in two parts: All the interviews were conducted telephonically.
1. Part one of the survey was conducted among marketing In all, 100 respondents participated in the survey.
professionals in the pharmaceutical sector on the draft
uniform code of marketing practices for the Indian
pharmaceutical industry (UCPMP) issued by the DoP,
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government
of India.
Kge] g^ l`] ka_faÕ[Yfl Õfaf_k g^ l`]
survey
Around two-third of the respondents felt that the implementation of the UCPMP would change the manner in
which pharma products are currently marketed in India.
According to the survey, more than 50% of the respondents are of the opinion that the UCPMP’s guidelines may
lead to manipulation in recording of actual sampling activity.
More than 50% of the respondents indicated that the effectiveness of the code will be very low in the absence of
legislative support provided to the UCPMP committee.
An overwhelming majority of the respondents (90%) felt that pharma companies in India should focus on
building a robust internal controls system for ensuring compliance with the UCPMP.
Around 72% of the respondents felt that the MCI was not stringently enforcing its medical ethics guidelines.
And only 36% of the respondents felt that the MCI’s guidelines would have an impact on the overall sales of
pharma companies.
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 5
6. Marketing of
pharmaceutical
products
9[[gjaf_ lg l`] kmjn]q$ l`j]] gml g^ ]n]jq Õn]
respondents indicated that the UCPMP issued by the
DoP would impact marketing of drugs in India.
6 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
7. India has one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical In 2002, over 20,000 registered drug
markets in the world, and its market size has manufacturers sold US$9 billion worth of
f]Yjdq gmZd] af l`] hYkl Õn] q]Yjk& L`] [gmfljqÌk formulations and bulk drugs in India. However, most
pharmaceutical market is expected to reach of the players in the market are small to medium
US$20 billion by 2015 from US$11.5 billion in 2009 enterprises and 250 of the largest companies
at a CAGR of 11.7%, and establish its presence control 70% of the Indian market.2
Yegf_ l`] ogjdÌk d]Yaf_ )( eYjc]lk& 9l hj]k]fl$
it is the third-largest market in the world in terms of
volume and 14th in terms of value.1
Around 72% of the
Statistics clearly indicate the tremendous growth potential of respondents indicated that the
India’s pharmaceutical sector and the degree of competition
among players to secure a larger share of the market. In this code of marketing practice will
industry, direct-to-consumer marketing is not popular, since
patients rely on doctors’ prescriptions and guidance on any impact the manner in which
medication. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies focus
more on promoting their products among HCPs. In such
a scenario, this takes three main forms — such companies
pharma products are marketed
giving gifts and free drug samples, and their sponsoring
continuing medical education (CME) for doctors.
to consumers.
The DoP released a draft uniform code on voluntary
regulation of the marketing practices3 in the Indian Figure 2:
pharma industry on 2 June 2011. The regulator intends to Will UCPMP guidelines on claims and comparisons, and textual and
ensure that promotion of pharmaceuticals to health care audio-visual promotional material result in more transparent and
professionals and interactions between pharma companies ethical marketing of pharma products in India?
and the latter is carried out in a responsible, ethical,
No
professional and legal manner. This will help to assure 28%
consumers that their choices in respect to their medication
Yj] eY] gf l`] ZYkak g^ l`] ]^Õ[Y[q g^ ]Y[` hjgm[l ^gj l`]
individual health care needs of patients.
Yes
Figure 1: 72%
Will implementation of the UCPMP change the manner in which
pharma products are currently marketed in India?
No Sample: 50 | Base: All
34%
According to the code, pharma companies will be required to
disclose relevant information on indications for use, known
side effects and contra-indications of drugs for patients, to
Yes enable them to make informed decisions on their choice
66% of medication. Furthermore, misrepresentation of existing
products as new ones by simply changing their packaging will
not be possible under the provisions of the code.
Sample: 50 | Base: All
1
Taking wings, Ernst & Young, 2009; “Indian pharma market valued at over Rs 55K crore in FY10,” The Economic Times, 30 July 2009.
2
“Pharmaceuticals in India,” wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceuticals_in_India, accessed 1 September 2011.
3
www.pharmaceuticals.gov.in/uniformcode.pdf
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 7
8. Record-keeping
of samples and
hospitality provided
Drug samples distributed by drug companies to medical
practitioners form an essential part of their overall
marketing strategy. According to the survey, more than 50%
of the respondents felt that enforcement of UCPMP may
lead to manipulation in recording actual sampling activity.
8 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
9. L`] j][gj%c]]haf_ j]imaj]e]flk ]Õf] af l`] [g]$
relating to distribution of free samples, is expected to bring
transparency on the number of units sampled, the names
More than 80% of the
of medical representatives, as well as the place, quantity
Yf Yl] g^ kYehdaf_$ Yf Ydkg a]fla^q l`] Z]f]Õ[aYja]k g^
respondents felt that the
the free samples. This will help to curb unethical practices
in the guise of sampling. Furthermore, it will also help to words “reasonable” and
identify whether organizations are complying with the other
provisions of the code. “appropriate” in the code
Figure 3:
In light of UCPMP regulations relating to distribution of free
are open to interpretation
e]a[afYd kYehd]k$ ogmd Õ]d ^gjeYlagfk afmd_] af eYfahmdYlagf g^
records to conceal non-compliance with the code? by pharma companies.
No
46% Figure 4:
What is the possibility that lack of explicit monetary limits set in the
UCPMP in respect to guidelines on “reasonable hospitality,” as well
as on “appropriate travel expenses, meals, refreshments, accommo-
Yes dation and registrations,” etc., for HCPs will be open to interpreta-
54% tion by pharma companies?
Very low
10%
Very high
Sample: 50 | Base: All 32%
Low
8%
Af l`] YZk]f[] g^ Yfq [d]Yj aj][lan]k gj imYflaÕ[Ylagf ^gj
extending hospitability to HCPs, it appears that the regulator High
may have left a gap for pharma companies to take undue 50%
advantage of the code.
Sample: 50 | Base: All
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 9
10. Impact on
pharmaceutical
sales
Nearly two-third of the medical practitioners who
hYjla[ahYl] af l`] kmjn]q ^]dl l`Yl l`] E;AÌk _ma]daf]k oadd
have no impact on the sales of pharmaceutical companies.
10 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
11. More than three-fourth of the
Figure 5:
respondents, out of those
Do you think the MCI’s guidelines, issued on 10 December 2009 in
respect to the interactions of practicing physicians with pharmaceuti-
cal companies, will have an impact on the overall sales of pharma-
who indicated that sales will
ceutical companies?
be affected, felt that the
extent of this effect would be
Yes
No
36%
more than 6%.
64%
Figure 6:
To what extent will the sales of pharmaceutical companies be
affected by MCI’s guidelines?
Sample: 50 | Base: All
>6% of total sales 78%
E;A [g] g^ e]a[Yd ]l`a[k ^gj @;Hk gÌk Yf gfÌlk
No gifts, travel facilities or hospitality to be accepted 4% to 6% of total sales 17%
from pharmaceutical and allied health care organizations
No cash or monetary grants accepted in individual
1% to 3% of total sales 6%
capacity
Ensure that medical research conducted is accurate
and ethical <1% of total sales 0%
Maintain professional autonomy
Base: 18, All who agreed that MCI guidelines will impact the sales of
No public endorsement of drug/ industry products pharmaceutical companies
Medical Council of India
The MCI was established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. Its main function is establishing uniform
klYfYjk g^ `a_` imYdaÕ[Ylagfk af e]a[af] Yf j][g_faraf_ e]a[Yd imYdaÕ[Ylagfk af AfaY Yf YZjgY& >Y[] Zq l`]
challenges posed by the speedy development and progress of medical education in the country, the old Act was repealed in
)1-. Yf Y f]o gf] ]fY[l]& L`ak oYk ^mjl`]j egaÕ] af )1.,$ )11+ Yf *(()&
The MCI initiated with a regulation related to the professional conduct, etiquette and ethics of registered medical practitioners
in 2002. This is called the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.*
In 2009, these regulations were further amended with the aim to achieve the following:
Build a healthy relationship, based on self-regulation, between doctors and the pharmaceutical and allied health care
sector, and prevent the unscrupulous practices of some doctors
Enhance transparency in sales promotions, ban bribes paid to doctors for drug promotions and control other unethical
practices
Stop medical professionals from accepting gifts or perquisites such as free holidays from drug manufacturers and ensure
that they prescribe drugs by their generic rather than their brand names
*Source: http://www.mciindia.org/RulesandRegulations/CodeofMedicalEthicsRegulations2002.aspx
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 11
12. Effectiveness of
the regulations
Egj] l`Yf -( g^ l`] j]khgf]flk ^]dl l`Yl l`] E;AÌk
_ma]daf]k ^gj e]a[Yd hjY[lalagf]jk Yf l`] gHÌk [g] g^
eYjc]laf_ hjY[la[]k ^gj h`YjeY [gehYfa]k oadd fgl km^Õ[]
to ensure ethical marketing of drugs in India.
12 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
13. Figure 7: L`] [g] g^ eYjc]laf_ hjY[la[]k ]Õf]k l`] kl]hk ^gj
Is the two-tier approach of MCIs regulating HCPs and the DoP in the forming a committee to handle complaints. However, more
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to regulate the pharma industry
the best way of deterring the practice of pharma companies luring than 50% of the respondents felt that in the absence of
HCPs through gifts and free hospitality offers? legislative support to this committee, the effectiveness of the
code will be negligible or nil.
Figure 9:
In the absence of legislative support, how effective will the
“Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices” be in acting on
Yes complaints pertaining to non-compliance with the UCPMP?
No 44%
56% Not effective Very effective
26% 6%
Sample: 50 | Base: All
Less effective
28%
Effective
40%
Nearly three-fourth of the respondents have highlighted
inadequate enforcement of these guidelines. Therefore, it Sample: 50 | Base: All
may take some time before the unethical drug promotion
practices of some medical practitioners and pharma
companies are stopped.
Figure 8:
According to 72% of the
@Yk l`]j] Z]]f ka_faÕ[Yfl ]f^gj[]e]fl g^ l`]k] _ma]daf]k Zq
the MCI? respondents, there has not
Z]]f ka_faÕ[Yfl ]f^gj[]e]fl
Yes
28% of the MCI’s guidelines.
Ng
72%
KYehd]2 -( t :Yk]2 9dd
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 13
14. Need for
robust internal
controls
According to the survey,
90% of the respondents felt
that pharma companies need more
robust internal controls to ensure their
compliance with regulations.
14 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
15. Figure 10: Kh][aÕ[ j]_mdYlagfk af l`] Ye]f] E;A _ma]daf]k$
With the implementation of the UCPMP in the country, do you feel
that pharma companies should focus on building a robust internal
prohibiting such practices, have therefore been put into
control system that relates to compliance with the DoP’s guidelines? practice. However, our survey respondents felt that the MCI
has not been effective in implementing these regulations.
No The draft UCPMP for the Indian pharma industry aims to
10% kh][aÕ[Yddq j]_mdYl] hjY[la[]k j]dYl] lg h`YjeY [gehYfa]k
marketing their products to HCPs and their relationship with
the latter.
Yes
90% The Government will continue to introduce new
regulations to monitor the relationship between health care
professionals and the pharma industry. Pharma companies
Sample: 50 | Base: All will need to demonstrate their compliance with these
regulations and be transparent in their interactions with
`]Ydl` [Yj] hjg^]kkagfYdk L`]q [Yf Y[`a]n] l`ak Zq
The relationship between medical practitioners and putting in place an effective internal compliance review
the pharma industry goes a long way back, since they are program (CRP).
dependent on each other. What initially began as
an information-sharing practice has evolved over a period
of time into aggressive marketing strategies targeted
at HCPs, to ensure greater coverage and translate into
enhanced sales for pharma companies. Consequently,
practices such as giving gifts and other incentives to HCPs
have crept into the system. This has raised serious concerns
relating to the professional autonomy and integrity of HCPs
accepting such enticements and their duty and responsibility
to their patients.
Some of the essential characteristics of a CRP:
Assess existing processes and controls on activities covered by the code
Design guidelines or frame SOPs and templates to implement practices laid down in the code
Implement guidelines and establish independent approvers for transactions with respect to the code
Conduct periodic testing and monitoring of transactions to assess their compliance with the code
Review and improve practices for effective compliance
Impart training to target audience for effective implementation of SOPs and guidelines
Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct 15
16. Annexure
HjgÕd] g^ j]khgf]flk
Figure A: Figure B:
Total no. of respondents - 100 Total no. of respondents from pharmaceutical companies - 50
Brand
Pharma managers
professionals 6%
50% Health care
professionals Marketing
50% Others professional
20% 58%
Product
manager
16%
References
www.pharmaceuticals.gov.in/uniformcode.pdf
http://www.mciindia.org/RulesandRegulationsCodeofMedicalEthicsRegulations2002.aspx
16 Pharmaceutical marketing: ethical and responsible conduct
17. 9Zgml =jfkl Qgmf_Ìk jYm
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