Why in the News
The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has formed a committee to strengthen oversight of pharmaceutical marketing practices, according to PIB on 23 October 2026. Dr M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, chairs it. Members are former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan and Medanta CMD Dr Naresh Trehan. Recommendations are due within two months of the first meeting.
What Is UCPMP?
The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) regulates interactions between pharmaceutical companies and doctors to prevent improper influence on prescriptions. It began in 2015 as voluntary industry self-regulation. UCPMP 2024 has replaced it and is in force.
The Committee's Mandate
The terms of reference call for a comprehensive review of unethical marketing practices and recommendations to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.
Context and Further Explanation
The central issue is conflict of interest. Gifts, travel and other inducements from drug companies could make prescriptions reflect marketing pressure rather than patient needs. UCPMP regulates these interactions. Remember the timeline: voluntary industry self-regulation in 2015, replaced by UCPMP 2024. The distinction between voluntary and statutory arrangements can be tested in examination options.
The committee combines Dr M. Srinivas of NITI Aayog as chair with Preeti Sudan and Dr Naresh Trehan as members. Its two-month deadline runs from the first meeting. Its dual mandate, reviewing unethical practices and strengthening monitoring and enforcement, recognises that implementation matters alongside rules.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals belongs to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, a direct ministry-matching point for Prelims. The Hindi article's description of UCPMP 2024 is based on the release; it did not separately read the code.
Examination Perspective
Prelims: UCPMP, 2015 versus 2024, and the department's parent ministry. Mains GS-II: Health regulation and conflicts of interest.
Prelims-Style Practice Questions
Question 1. Who chairs the new review committee?
(a) Preeti Sudan
(b) Dr M. Srinivas
(c) Dr Naresh Trehan
(d) Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals
Answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Dr M. Srinivas. Dr M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, chairs it. Preeti Sudan and Dr Naresh Trehan are members.
Question 2. When and in what form did UCPMP begin?
(a) 2024, statutory code
(b) 2015, voluntary self-regulation
(c) 2010, legislation
(d) 2020, judicial order
Answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2015, voluntary self-regulation. It began as voluntary industry self-regulation in 2015; UCPMP 2024 has replaced it and is in force.
Question 3. What is the committee's deadline for recommendations?
(a) One month
(b) Three months
(c) Two months from the first meeting
(d) Six months
Answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Two months from the first meeting. The deadline runs from the committee's first meeting.
Sources and Limits
Primary source: Department of Pharmaceuticals/PIB release, 23 October 2026, opened and read by the Hindi article. Its UCPMP 2024 account is release-based; the code was not separately examined.