BLACKLIST Philips Healthcare: IMA Kerala asks its members,leaders

During Service, it was alleged that the hard disc of the Phillips Ultrasound machine and other spare parts were replaced from a second-hand machine from another hospital instead of using original spare parts as charged.

Thrissur: Taking a stern stand against the fraudulent practices by Medical Device and Equipment companies in purchase, maintenance, and service of medical equipment, the Kerala State Branch of Indian Medical Association has issued a clarion call to its leaders and committee members to blacklist Philips Company ( Phillips healthcare)  on account of cheating one its member doctors from Thrissur

The case concerns a medical practitioner from Thrissur who had purchased an Ultrasound Machine from Phillips. The said machine was given to the company for service after which it was discovered that the hard disc and other spare parts were allegedly replaced from a second-hand machine from another hospital instead of using original spare parts.

Distraught, the doctor went ahead and filed a case of cheating against the company officials. The daily Hindu, in the month of December 2018 reported that four senior officials of Phillips including  R. Subrahmanian, Director, Chennai, of Philips HealthCare; U. Sunil, Head of Customer Care, Chennai and Ramkumar, Kerala Territory Manager were also arrested in the case.

The matter is currently under the consideration of the CJM Court.

The matter was also taken up the state IMA branch recently. In a recent 261st working committee meeting held at Indian Medical Association (IMA) Periyar House, the committee decided to blacklist the Philips company for cheating a doctor from Thrissur.

Thereafter, to create awareness regarding fraudulent practice by Commercial Companies in a purchase, maintenance, and service of medical equipment, the Kerala State Branch of Indian Medical Association has now written to all state office bearers, CWC members, local branch Presidents/secretaries, SWS members, senior leaders, District Committee Chairman and Coordinators of IMA KSB asking them to blacklist the company till the final judgement from the district court.

When asked to respond the matter, Phillips Spokesperson stated to Medical Dialogues, “We are aware of a notice by the Indian Medical Association concerning Philips India. We will present the relevant information and facts for the association to take a balanced view.

Read Also: Unethical practices by companies in medical devices industry: Nadda apprises Rajya Sabha