SC: Are ethical pharma practice norms 'actually' implemented?

The Supreme Court on Thursday said the actual "difficulty" was in the implementation of the existing norms while hearing a plea seeking a uniform code for marketing practices of pharmaceutical firms to curb any unethical ways to promote drugs.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the observation after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the prayer made in the plea had become infructuous as a statutory regime was already in place.

"The difficulty is, regime is there in place, but whether that is actually implemented or not," Justice Nath said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who also appeared in the matter, said a new regime was brought in last year. "That is what the concern of mylords is, that if it is a toothless tiger... what is the purpose," Justice Mehta said. The law officer, however, responded, "It is a tiger with all power at its command".