New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has initiated a probe against 30 doctors who allegedly participated in pharma-sponsored foreign trips to Monaco and Paris. If found guilty, the doctors could face suspension from the Indian Medical Register for a period ranging from three months to over a year, depending on the severity of their violation.
Background
The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) recently reprimanded AbbVie Healthcare, the Indian arm of a U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant, for sponsoring trips worth ₹1.91 crore for 30 healthcare professionals (HCPs) under the pretense of attending the Aesthetics and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress 2024 in Monaco and Paris.
- UCPMP Violation: The trips breached the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), which prohibits pharmaceutical companies from offering gifts, foreign trips, or other inducements to healthcare professionals as part of their marketing activities.
NMC Regulations
Under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, it is deemed unethical for medical practitioners to:
- Accept travel facilities (domestic or international), paid vacations, or hospitality under any pretext from pharmaceutical companies.
Penalties for Violations:
- Expenses ₹1,000–₹5,000: Censure.
- Expenses ₹5,000–₹1 lakh: Suspension from the Indian Medical Register or State Medical Register for 3 months to 1 year.
- Expenses exceeding ₹1 lakh: Suspension for more than 1 year.
Previous Actions Against HCPs
According to experts, the NMC (previously the Medical Council of India) has previously taken disciplinary action, including suspending licenses, against HCPs found guilty of accepting inducements.
- A medical expert noted, “Doctors receiving gifts, trips, or bribes often face penalties, including license suspension for up to six months, for professional misconduct.”
Implications of the Probe
If the investigation finds these doctors guilty, the penalties could serve as a strong deterrent against unethical collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and medical practitioners.
- The action aligns with efforts to uphold professional ethics and ensure transparency in the healthcare sector.
The NMC’s decision is awaited as the investigation progresses, with potential consequences for both the involved doctors and pharmaceutical companies.
