The SME Pharma Industries Confederation (SPIC) may soon approach members of parliament (MPs) to move a privilege motion in Parliament against the Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers Srikant Jena for misleading the nation in announcing in Parliament that most of the pharma associations, including SPIC, “have worked out the 'Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices' (UCMP)”.

SPIC spokesman said that the minister's statement in Parliament is contrary to the facts as it was made without verifying the facts that UCMP was not a unanimous decision. “SPIC had never agreed with the UCMP,” the spokesman said.

In yet another twist to the UCMP script, the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), representing big pharma companies in the country including Sun Pharma, Lupin, Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's, etc, also said that it never agreed with the UCMP which was worked out by OPPI and IDMA. “Where is the question of approving a document which we have never seen,” asked IPA secretary general DG Shah.

In reply to a question on 'Common code of ethics for pharmaceutical industry' raised by Najma Heptualla and NK Singh in Rajya Sabha (unstarred question number 1710) on December 4, Jena had stated, “(a) to (c): There were some reports in the newspapers in the recent past regarding promotional expenses being made by the Pharma Companies. The reports suggest that some unethical marketing practices are being followed by certain pharma companies. Keeping in view the seriousness of the allegations made in the media reports, this Department felt the need to take up the matter in the interest of the consumers/patients as such promotional expenses being extended to doctors had direct implications on the pricing of drugs and its affordability. After discussing the issues with the Pharma Associations/ Industry, this Department has been able to persuade most of the associations lo have Code of ethics. Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association have informed that they along with Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry (CIPI), Federation Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (FOPE), Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and SME Pharma Industries Confederation (SPIC) have worked out the 'Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices' (UCMP)”.

In their questionnaire, the Rajya Sabha MPs had clearly asked, “(a) whether Government has received representation from Small and Medium Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in the country to speed up exploration of the option of a common code of ethics for the pharmaceutical industry, (b) if so, the details thereof and whether it is a fact that under the pressure of multinational drug companies, Government is not showing any interest to opt for a and (c) if so, the facts thereof and the steps Government proposes to adopt common code of ethics for the pharmaceutical industry to bring down the prices of medicines at reasonable level?”