• DOLO-650 makers distributed freebies worth Rs 1,000 cr to doctors for prescribing Tablet: FMRAI

    Health
    DOLO-650 makers distributed freebies worth Rs 1,000 cr to doctors for prescribing Tablet: FMRAI

    It was said that pharmaceutical corporations should follow ethical marketing procedures and that the right to health is a component of the right to life.

    Digital Desk: The Dolo-650
    tablet manufacturers have been charged by the Central Board for Direct Taxes
    (CBDT) with spending Rs 1,000 crore on gifts for doctors who prescribe the medication.



    Sanjay Parikh, a counsel for
    the Federation of Medical & Sales Representatives Association of India
    (FMRAI) in the Union of India v. FMRAI case, said that DOLO had spent the money
    on "freebies" in order to have it prescribed, per Bar and Bench (B&B).



    Through the assistance of
    attorney Aparna Bhat, a public interest lawsuit (PIL) seeking legal support
    from the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices was submitted to
    the court (UCPMP). It was said that pharmaceutical corporations should follow
    ethical marketing procedures and that the right to health is a component of the
    right to life.



    It is a severe matter,
    according to the bench's chief justice, Justice DY Chandrachud. "I don't
    find this to be relaxing. When I had Covid, I was also asked to have the same.
    This is a really painful thing, "He stated, according to B&B.



    Within ten days, the federal
    government is required to submit a response. Additional Solicitor General KM
    Natraj was defending it.



    The petitioner added that
    India has no laws against corruption in pharmaceutical marketing activities.
    The report continued, "This is despite the nation having ratified the UN
    Convention against corruption."



    There is now no law in India
    that forbids such a behaviour.



    According to the appeal, the patient's life and health are also in danger. Additionally, it stated
    that in this case, the patient pays for branded medications that doctors
    "over-prescribe" or "prescribe unreasonably."



    It was argued that giving
    UCPMP a legal foundation would increase process openness and accountability.



    However, soon after the
    hearing, the administration published a draught UCPMP and requested public
    feedback.