11 Indian Doctors suspended for taking kickbacks from Pharma companies
In a recent event MCI (Medical Council of India) suspended 11 doctors for taking kickbacks from Intas Pharmaceutical company. The alleged doctors were sponsored for an International holiday trip to London and Scotland as a beneficiary act for prescribing medications belonging to the mentioned company. The case had been under analysis for over three years before the doctors were found guilty and suspended for a period of 6 months as a disciplinary act. This ruling will also serve as a cautionary warning to other medical practitioners in the country.
As mentioned in MCI Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics Regulations(2002), doctors should not receive cash or gifts from pharmaceutical companies or allied healthcare industry representatives. Repeated warnings have been given to practitioners and Pharmaceutical companies throughout the country but the rackets continue to operate. Doctors found guilty were usually let off by giving a warning or taking an apology.With the recent events, to enforce strict Laws MCI has introduced new amendments as follows.
1) Bribes worth between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 would call for suspension of the doctor from the State Medical Council for three months.
2) Bribes worth Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 would call for suspension of the doctor for six months.
3) Bribes worth Rs 50,000 and above would call for the suspension of the doctor for one year.
This is the first time MCI has introduced such drastic measures to discourage practitioners from accepting gifts, bribes and benefits from pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare industries. The introduction of the new law brings about impartiality to all practitioners and also ensures that influential doctors cannot impact the higher ups or the Medical board.
A warning doesn’t make people follow the rules but having some punishment/penalty for the misconduct will have better leverage.This is a small step by MCI to ensure a corruption free environment but it is unlikely that all cases can be identified/punished. It should be the moral duty of every doctor to not accept bribes and rules enforced will only be helpful if everyone implements it with spirit in their practice.
“There are three subjects on which the knowledge of the medical profession in general is woefully weak; they are MANNERS, MORALS, and MEDICINE” – Gerald F Lieberman
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