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Centre Extends Deadline for Pharma Firms to File Self-Declarations Under UCPMP

Initially, the self-declaration was due by June 30, two months after the close of the financial year. However, following requests from several companies citing operational delays, the government first pushed the deadline to July 31. The latest extension comes as a further reprieve, with officials emphasizing that non-compliance could attract regulatory action.

• By Newsdesk
• New Delhi
• Aug 01, 2025

News

In a significant move aimed at reinforcing ethical standards in pharmaceutical marketing, the Central government has granted a one-month extension to drug companies for submitting their legal undertakings under the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP).

In a circular issued on July 31, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) extended the deadline to August 31, allowing pharma companies additional time to file self-declarations affirming their adherence to the UCPMP guidelines. These declarations, mandated to be signed by the top executive—either the Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer—serve as a formal assurance that the company will refrain from engaging in unethical marketing tactics to promote their products.

Initially, the self-declaration was due by June 30, two months after the close of the financial year. However, following requests from several companies citing operational delays, the government first pushed the deadline to July 31. The latest extension comes as a further reprieve, with officials emphasizing that non-compliance could attract regulatory action.

The DoP’s circular also directed pharmaceutical companies to disclose their marketing expenditure in line with the UCPMP framework.

Introduced in March 2024, the UCPMP is a voluntary code aimed at enhancing transparency and ethical conduct in the pharmaceutical sector. Among its key provisions, the code prohibits companies from offering inducements—such as gifts, hospitality, sponsored travel, or monetary rewards—to healthcare professionals in exchange for prescribing particular drugs.

The code also restricts the distribution of free samples to only qualified prescribers and brings greater scrutiny to conferences, seminars, and industry-doctor collaborations. Companies are now required to maintain detailed records of such events, including full disclosure of associated costs, to ensure accountability.

With the new deadline now in place, the government is signaling its intent to uphold the integrity of pharmaceutical marketing in India while giving companies the necessary time to comply with evolving regulatory expectations.