No More Freebies And Benefits For Doctors By Pharma Cos

BANGALORE: Enough of paid travelling, and sponsored vacation packages for doctors by pharmaceutical companies.  The government has emerged up with a ban from the early January next year that will restrict the pharma companies from awarding any extra benefits to the doctors or the concerned people.  The code will be reviewed after 6 months and if it is not followed properly, government will make it a mandatory rule to follow all over the nation.

For the very first time, Government has taken such an initiation to curb the unethical practices, sales promotion and marketing expenses.  The following code regulates the bans personal gifts, hospitality, medical samples, medical grants, and all-expenses paid junkets for doctors and their families by the pharma companies.

According to Daara Patel, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association secretary general, "The code seems to be strict. We are in consultations with the government. If we cannot educate about a particular medicine or disseminate information, how will doctors know about it,” reports The Times of India.

Industry experts say that the government's Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices has been modeled on the Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines for doctors and healthcare professionals, which were further, stiffened in 2012.

The code further revealed that the industry associations have to upload the Uniform Code on their websites and will be responsible for informing its members, and the government in case of violations of prescribed rules and regulations.

The code also adds that "where there is any item missing, the code of MCI as per the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation, 2002 as amended from time to time, will prevail'', reports TOI.

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