News Channel “Sting Operation” reveals “Doctor : Pharma” nexus
Chandigarh: Medical Officer (Orthopaedic) of Government Multispeciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16 was repatriated by the administration of the Union territory of Chandigarh as he has been accused of having a nexus with a local pharmaceutical company. The health administration also terminated the services of another doctor who was working on a contract basis, on similar grounds. The decision was taken by the authorities after a sting operation by a private news channel exposed the nexus between the Medical Officer (Orthopaedic) and a pharmaceutical company at the GMSH. In his written orders, UT health secretary Ajay Chagti said, “The said doctor, presently working as medical officer (ortho) in UT health department, on deputation basis from the state of Haryana, is hereby repatriated/relieved to his parent state with immediate effect on administrative grounds.”
Mr. Chagti added that he has directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) to probe the doctor and pharma nexus further under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the disciplinary action against the doctor will be initiated after a detailed inquiry is completed by the police. He added the disciplinary action will be recommended based on the report of the police. The sting operation shed light on the fact that the accused doctor had been prescribing locally manufactured medicines in return for a commission. The sting operation also showed evidence by a medical representative that the alleged doctor had received an advance payment of Rs 50,000. Based on these revelations, the UT health department conducted its own investigations, which threw light on repeated transactions of money from a person to the wife of the doctor deputed at GMSH Sector 16.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Mohfw) had barred the medical representatives (MRs) of pharmaceutical companies from visiting government hospital premises and had mandated that pharmaceutical companies should convey new launches to doctors through email only. The directive from NMC has mandated that the RMP’s should only prescribe generic medicines. Despite this, the central government noted that many doctors and residents in government hospitals, central government health scheme (CGHS) wellness centres, and polyclinics continued to prescribe branded medicines. There have been several instances of the Government cracking down on the unethical doctor-pharma nexus. Mr. Chagti said that the government was fully aware of the menace of doctor: pharma nexus and has taken short-term measures to clean the menace. He added that the government was planning reforms so as to ensure transparency in government hospitals.