AbbVie Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of U.S.-based AbbVie Inc., has been reprimanded for violating the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), 2024, by sponsoring international trips for 30 doctors under the guise of professional development. The company spent nearly ₹1.91 crore on travel and accommodations for events in Monaco and Paris, including the Aesthetics and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers’ Apex Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices uncovered this unethical practice following an anonymous complaint. The evidence included flight tickets, hotel booking vouchers and a sales expense tracker detailing the sponsorships.
Despite an initial investigation by the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) finding no irregularities, the Ministry’s special audit team identified significant breaches. AbbVie attempted to justify its actions as industry norms and claimed the doctors were compensated under professional service agreements. However, the apex committee rejected this defense, emphasizing that even under UCPMP 2014, such practices are prohibited.
In a bold response, AbbVie declined the committee’s suggestion to contribute an equivalent amount towards underprivileged patients in government hospitals. This prompted the Ministry to escalate actions, instructing the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to assess the tax liabilities of the company and implicated doctors. Additionally, the National Medical Council has been urged to take disciplinary action against the 30 doctors.
Speaking on the issue, Dr. Babu K.V., from the Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare, remarked, “Both doctors and the pharma company have committed the same offence. It seems that UCPMP is lenient to the company. It has been our longstanding demand to make UCPMP mandatory and punishment exemplary.”
The case has reignited calls to strengthen regulatory enforcement in pharmaceutical marketing practices to safeguard ethical standards in healthcare.
