The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 to prevent unethical practices by pharmaceutical companies. Ethical Promotion: UCPMP emphasizes ethical marketing practices, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies promote their products responsibly and transparently. A drug can only be promoted after obtaining marketing approval, and the term ‘safe’ cannot be used without qualification. Guidelines on Gifts and Benefits: The code sets clear guidelines regarding the provision of gifts, incentives, and benefits to healthcare practitioners, aiming to prevent undue influence on prescription patterns. Free drug samples should not be supplied to individuals who are not qualified to prescribe such products. It prohibits healthcare professionals from accepting gifts from pharma companies or agents, including paid vacations, unless attending conferences, seminars, or workshops where the spe...