The Supreme Court directed the Union government to form a committee to examine pharmaceutical companies offering expensive gifts to doctors. This move follows a 2021 petition by the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association. The court wants the committee to suggest ways to regulate these practices and improve accountability.

The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to constitute a committee to examine measures to regulate pharmaceutical companies offering expensive gifts and other incentives to doctors to promote drug sales. The court also ordered that the committee’s report be placed before it.

The petition was filed in 2021 by the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association, seeking accountability of pharmaceutical companies over such practices.

The Supreme Court’s direction comes as the court considers the issue of pharmaceutical marketing practices and the alleged use of incentives to influence doctors’ prescribing practices. The committee will make recommendations on regulating such practices, according to the court’s directions.