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| Edited By: Santosh Andhale |Source: DNA |Updated: Dec 26, 2014, 06:10 AM IST
Q) What is your take on the MCI's move?
A) I would not like to comment on that because we haven't gotten any kind of communication from the MCI in that regard. We have never been in favour of offering gifts to doctors for prescribing drugs of a specific company. We never encourage such kinds of practices in our business.
Q) Have you received the code of ethics?
A) Yes, it is a uniform code of conduct for the industry. The code will be voluntary to start with, and it will be implemented from January 1. But we are going to write to the government that in some cases, for example, a product launch, we should be allowed to sponsor doctors imparting knowledge in seminars regarding a specific subject which will be helpful to society. We are only sponsoring doctors for training or workshops. No gift are sent to the doctor or his/her family. A code of ethics should be balanced to suit our industry.
Q) But isn't it well-known that pharmaceutical companies offer gift to doctors?
A) I don't agree. To remember a product or a company name they may offer some kind of token like pens, pads or calendars. But I don't know of any company offering trips, cash or cars.
Q) What kind of measures have you to taken to avoid such cases?
A) We are a voluntary organisation and almost 800 pharmaceuticals companies affiliated with our association. We don't want any company to indulge in such practices and give us a bad name. We can't take any action against them, but through workshops and seminars we can definitely sensitize them.
