The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has found AbbVie Healthcare India in violation of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP). The company allegedly spent over Rs 1.91 crore on sponsoring trips for 30 doctors to Paris and Monaco under the guise of conferences. An anonymous complaint received by the DoP in May 2024 provided evidence, including a company sales and expense tracker, hotel vouchers, and travel tickets for each doctor.
The complaint alleged that AbbVie treated the doctors, who are experts in Botox and Juvederm, to “extravagant pleasure trips.”
The UCPMP, which was amended in March 2024 to make compliance mandatory, prohibits pharmaceutical companies from paying for healthcare providers’ (HCPs’) travel, stay, or other hospitality for conferences in India or abroad. Exceptions are made only if the HCP is a speaker at the conference. AbbVie argued that the trips were held before the amended UCPMP came into effect and that the hotel and flights compensated the doctors for professional services.
Department scrutinizes AbbVie marketing practices
However, the DoP was unconvinced and ordered the company to spend an amount equal to the trip expenses on treating poor patients in government hospitals. An AbbVie spokesperson expressed disappointment in the DoP’s decision, stating, “Allergan Aesthetics [an AbbVie company] is disappointed in the DoP’s decision to find us in violation of the UCPMP.”
Taking doctors on sponsored trips is a common practice in the pharmaceutical industry, as companies frequently host seminars and conferences to help HCPs stay updated with new medical products and technology.
However, there are restrictions in place to prevent pharma firms from using money to influence HCPs. Several countries, including the US, France, Netherlands, and Australia, have “Sunshine Acts” that require pharmaceutical companies to disclose all financial transactions with HCPs, teaching hospitals, and other medical facilities. This information is made public so patients can see which firms have spent money on gifts, trips, and sponsorships for a doctor or physician.
India, while barring pharma companies from giving gifts to HCPs or hosting seminars abroad, does not have a similar “Sunshine Act.”
