Advocacy group questions inclusion of Medant MD Naresh Trehan on panel on pharmaceutical marketing practices

Naresh Trehan, Chairman and CEO of Medanta. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments expressed concern over the inclusion of Drs. Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director of Medanta, to a committee formed on Supreme Court directions to examine the regulatory framework governing pharmaceutical marketing practices.

On behalf of the Department of Pharmacy, the advocacy group urged the government to replace Dr. Trehana as a member with no potential conflict of interest, arguing that the panel’s independence and impartiality must be guaranteed.

The committee was tasked with examining the regulatory framework governing pharmaceutical marketing practices and making recommendations on a voluntary Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), 2024.

The group said that the financial interests of Dr. Trehana and his association with the Medanta group could lead to a potential conflict of interest. She emphasized that the committee’s deliberations and recommendations should be guided solely by public health considerations and the need to promote ethical practices and access to affordable health care.

Citing a 2018 report, the group referred to a review of hospital bills at four hospitals, including Medicity-Medanta, by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which found cases of overcharging. He also cited subsequent Supreme Court proceedings and assessments by state drug regulatory bodies in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka regarding high surcharges in hospital tariffs.

The group said these concerns warrant a review of the committee’s composition to ensure its recommendations are transparent, impartial and driven by the public interest.

While making clear its support for consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, the group said its objection was specifically to the inclusion of a member whose financial interests raise questions about impartiality. If such concerns undermined the committee’s independence, it would defeat the purpose of the apex court’s directions, he added.

The representation urged the drug ministry to reconstitute the panel by appointing a member without such conflict of interest.

Published – 24 Oct 2026 22:29 IST