SC directs Centre to form panel on curbing unethical pharma marketing practices

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order on a plea seeking directions that, until an effective law is enacted, the top court should lay down guidelines to control and regulate unethical marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies.The Centre had agreed that there was a need to strengthen the mechanism to ensure that pharmaceutical companies do not indulge in unethical practices.New Delhi,Oct 8, 2026 12:01 ISTThe Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre to constitute a committee to examine suggestions and representations on ways to ensure that pharmaceutical companies do not engage in unethical marketing practices. The court said the panel would give its recommendations to the government.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order on a plea seeking directions that, until an effective law is enacted, the top court should lay down guidelines to control and regulate unethical marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies. The matter has been posted for January 29 to consider the Centre’s compliance affidavit.While pronouncing the order, the bench said, "We have directed the Union of India to constitute a committee and the committee will consider the suggestions, representations and thereafter give its recommendations to the Union of India."On September 8, the Centre had informed the apex court that it was setting up a three-member panel to suggest a statutory framework to ensure that pharmaceutical companies do not indulge in unethical practices. During the hearing that day, the Centre sought two months, saying the committee would submit its report and that it would be placed before the court for approval. The Centre had also agreed that there was a need to strengthen the mechanism to ensure that pharmaceutical companies do not indulge in unethical practices.It had told the court, "The detailed discussions have taken place and with a view to find out the possible solution, it is decided to constitute a three-member committee requesting them to provide their report on the issues as to whether and if yes, what can be the statutory framework to ensure that pharmaceutical companies also do not indulge into such unethical practices." The Centre had said that until the report was received and a decision was taken on it, the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024, would govern the field. The Supreme Court has now directed the government to set up the committee, which will study the suggestions placed before it and submit its recommendations.- Ends