New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has launched an investigation into 30 doctors who allegedly participated in luxury trips to Monaco and Paris, sponsored by AbbVie Healthcare, under the guise of attending the Aesthetics and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress 2024.
The trips, valued at ₹1.91 crore, were flagged by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) as violations of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), which prohibits foreign trips, gifts, and other inducements as unethical marketing practices.
Possible Penalties
Doctors found guilty may face disciplinary actions ranging from censure to suspension from the Indian Medical Register for periods between three months and over a year, depending on the extent of the violation.
Under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, accepting travel or hospitality from pharmaceutical companies is strictly prohibited.
- Expenses ₹1,000–₹5,000: May result in censure.
- Expenses ₹5,000–₹1 lakh: Can lead to suspension of registration for three months to a year.
- Expenses exceeding ₹1 lakh: Suspension for over a year.
Background
AbbVie Healthcare allegedly financed the trips under the pretext of professional development, though the DoP identified them as “extravagant pleasure trips.” The NMC was tasked with investigating the healthcare professionals involved, following the DoP’s reprimand of AbbVie.
A senior medical expert commented on the recurring issue of HCPs accepting undue benefits from pharmaceutical companies. “In the past, similar cases have led to doctors facing licence suspensions for unethical practices,” the expert noted.
Regulatory Actions
While both the NMC and the DoP have not officially commented, any punitive action will be guided by the ethics regulations, which aim to curb unethical interactions between HCPs and pharmaceutical companies.
Call for Transparency
The investigation highlights growing scrutiny of unethical practices in the healthcare sector, with authorities striving to enforce ethical standards and hold violators accountable. Further updates are awaited as the NMC proceeds with its probe.
