Dolo-650 ₹1,000 cr Freebies Case: I was also asked to have the same when I had COVID, says Justice Chandrachud

 

On Thursday, the Apex Court was informed that the maker of Dolo tablets, the 650mg version of a paracetamol pill, had given out freebies worth Rs 1,000 crore to doctors to prescribe their drug. The Supreme Court described it as a “serious issue” matter.

Citing Dolo as an example, the petitioner Federation of Medical Representatives of India (FMRAI) is seeking action from the Centre to prevent what they described as unethical marketing practices by the pharmaceutical industry.

Appearing for the petitioner FMRAI, Senior Lawyer Sanjay Parikh & Advocate Aparna Bhat told the Supreme Court bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice AS Bopanna that the price of the drug above 500 mg can be fixed by a pharma company. However, for a tablet up to 500 mg, the market price is regulated under the price control mechanism of the Govt. 

Advocate Parikh further added that the maker of the Dolo 650 tablets gave out freebies so that doctors promote their drug, in order to ensure a higher profit margin.

Justice Chandrachud also shared that he had been recommended the same drug when he had contracted Covid-19. “This is not music to my ears. I was also asked to have the same when I had Covid-19. This is a serious issue & matter,” he said. 

The FMRAI PIL is seeking directions to make pharma companies liable for giving freebies to doctors & to give statutory backing to the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP).

The Supreme Court bench has asked additional solicitor general KM Nataraj to file his response to the plea by the petitioner in 10 days & gave a week’s time thereafter to the latter for their response. The next hearing will be on Sept 29.

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