The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued Circular No. 1 of 2026 amending the UCMPMD 2024 to streamline and strengthen ethical marketing practices for medical devices. The amendment mainly revises provisions related to foreign training programs, travel, hospitality and participation of healthcare professionals in CME/CPD activities. It also clarifies compliance obligations and transparency requirements for medical device companies conducting overseas trainings.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, issued Circular No. 1 of 2026 dated 30 April 2026 introducing amendments to the Uniform Code for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices (UCMPMD) 2024.
The amendment revises clauses 6.2, 8.2, 8.3, and the note under clause 8.4 to improve transparency and ethical compliance in interactions between medical device companies and healthcare professionals. The updated provisions permit foreign training programs only in justified situations where advanced equipment or expertise is unavailable in India.
Companies must disclose details of such trainings to industry associations at least one month in advance. The amendment also restricts companies from extending travel and hospitality benefits to healthcare professionals except when acting as speakers or participants in CME, CPD, or training programs.
Additionally, the circular clarifies that National Medical Commission regulations will prevail where any provision is absent in the code.