Government has charted a strict code of conduct to stop pharma firms from luring doctors with freebies to boost sales
On health front, the New Year promises to give citizens some relief from their medical expenses. In its bid to dissuade pharma companies from luring doctors with gifts to boost their sales, the union government has charted out a code of conduct for the industry, asking it to stop the malpractice from January 1.
The move is expected to push drug manufacturers to refrain from offering kickbacks in the form of gifts, hospitality, medical samples, medical grants, to doctors as it may land them in the soup.
Why the move?
The Department of Pharmaceuticals of the union government decided to spell out strict norms after the Medical Council of India (MCI) recently summoned 326 doctors, including ten from Maharashtra, accused of accepting inducements – cash, flats, junkets, cars, etc. – from some pharma firms to prescribe their medicines.
What current rules say?
The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009, prohibits doctors from accepting freebies from pharma companies company or the health-care industry.
Why are activists opposing cut practice?
Activists have long been demanding strict action against the practice, saying pharma companies ultimately recover the cost of gifts from patients.
The Centre will monitor the conduct of the industry for six months. In case they fail to comply its guidelines in letter and spirit, it will enforce the norms and make them mandatory.
What does pharma industry say?
Daara Patel, secretary general, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association said they would be approaching the government as well as the MCI to seek leniency in some cases. "For instance, in case of a product launch, we should be allowed to sponsor doctors imparting knowledge in seminars regarding a specific subject as it will be helpful to the society. The code of ethics should be balanced."
Patel said they have informed their members, about 800 of them, about the code. "We don't want any company to indulge in such practices and give us a bad name."
What's MCI's response?
Dr Kishor Taori, a member of MCI's ethical committee, said if a pharma company is genuinely interested in giving information about its products to doctors through a seminar, the process should be transparent. Dr Taori, who is also the president of Maharashtra Medical Council, added, "There should be a mechanism by which a pharma firm is allowed to take permission from certain government committees before sponsoring doctors for its seminars."
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