The Medical Council of India (MCI) on Tuesday summoned 150 doctors accused of taking hefty bribe in the form of cash, flats, junkets, or cars from some pharmaceutical companies to prescribe their medicines. Of the 150 doctors, ten are from Maharashtra. They were summoned to the MCI office in New Delhi. The ethical committee of the MCI, which is probing the matter for last few months, said the respective state medical councils will now look into the issue and submit a report within three months.
Currently, as many as 326 doctors from across the country are under MCI scanner on bribe charges. The MCI, however, did not reveal their names.
According to the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009, doctors are prohibited from accepting gifts, travel facility or hospitality, from any pharmaceutical company or the health care industry.
The ministry of health had received a complaint regarding this September last. Accordingly, the ministry asked the MCI to investigate into the matter which is now being probed by a 10-member committee helmed by Dr Muzaffar Hussain. He is also chairman of ethics committee, MCI.
Dr Kishor Taori, member of Ethical Committee, MCI, who also president of Maharashtra Medical Council, said, "As per MCI guidelines it is unethical to accept gifts from pharmaceutical company. There is a provision in the law for action too - from warning to suspension for varying periods. After receiving of the complaint, we gave enough time to the doctors to explain. However, still 30-35 doctors have not responded to our notices. Soon we will take action against these doctors."
For quite some time now health activists have expressed concern over the nexus between doctors and pharmaceutical companies. "It is good that the matter is being looked into by the MCI. The code of ethics should apply to doctors associations too so as to ensure that drugs are not prescribed under the influence of any pharmaceutical company," said Ravi Duggal, a health activist.
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