10 docs got money from pharma MNCs

A piece of Times of India (Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/10-docs-got-money-from-pharma-MNCs/articleshow/49268017.cms) reports that a scrutiny of income tax (I-T) returns of private doctors by Punjab Medical Council (PMC) has found 10 practitioners to have received financial transactions from well-placed multinational pharmaceutical companies. The PMC on Wednesday issued notices to these private doctors in Ludhiana and Patiala.

The doctors who were allegedly indulging in the malpractice were medical specialists, cardiologists and gastroenterologists. The transactions range from Rs 6 to Rs 12 lakh in the 2010 to 2014 period.

Despite the claims of Medical Council of India (MCI) of acting tough against doctors who receive money from drug companies for individual purpose, the practice has been found to be rampant in Punjab. Four doctors from Ludhiana and six from Patiala have been sent notices for violation of Section 6.8.1 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations 2002.

Maintaining that this was tip of the iceberg, PMC president Dr G S Grewal has sought urgent attention of the Union ministry of chemicals and fertilizers as drug manufacturing comes under it. "During scrutiny of records received by PMC, it was noticed that registered medical practitioners with the state council have received financial transactions from pharmaceutical companies. We chanced upon these transactions in their I-T return form 26AS while trying to get evidence of how the ghost faculty used to operate."

Though the council president refused to name the companies and the doctors involved, he said that the companies were of repute. The PMC president said he has asked the council's registrar to issue notices to the doctors, asking them why action should not be taken against them for the gross violations and malpractices.

"Receiving money from pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry is in total violation of Indian Medical Council Act," he said and added that the code of conduct for doctors and professional association of doctors, in their relationship with pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry, clearly states, "A medical practitioner shall not receive any cash monetary grants from any pharmaceutical and allied healthcare industry for individual purpose in individual capacity under any pretext". This, the PMC president pointed out, is a clear case of corruption and has to be dealt as such. Quoting the act, he clarified, "Funding for medical research, study etc. can only be received through approved institutions by modalities laid down by law/rules/guidelines adopted by such approved institutions, in a transparent manner. It shall always be fully disclosed."