New code of medical ethics: 10 Key changes in pharma doctor interactions
The new code of conduct is out, and have ordered a major crackdown on the unethical practices of some members of the medical fraternity on taking freebies and benefits from pharmaceuticals, medical devices and allied healthcare companies in lieu of indirect promotion of their products, including prescriptions. While the major feature of the guidelines has been a blanket direction to doctors to prescribe generic names, there has been a separate clause dedicated to engagement with pharma, commercial healthcare establishments, medical device companies, or corporate hospitals.
Section 35 of the National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioner RMP (Professional Conduct) Regulations 2023 state
RMPs and their families must not receive any gifts, travel facilities, hospitality, cash or monetary grants, consultancy fee or honorariums, or access to entertainment or recreation from pharmaceutical companies or their representatives, commercial healthcare establishments, medical device companies, or corporate hospitals under any pretext. However, this does not include salaries and benefits that RMPs may receive as employees of these organizations. Also, RMPs should not be involved in any third-party educational activity like CPD, seminar, workshop, symposia, conference, etc., which involves direct or indirect sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies or the allied health sector. RMP should be aware of the conflict-of-interest situations that may arise. The nature of these relationships should be in the public domain such as clinical drug trials and should not be in contravention of any law, rule, or regulation in force. RMP himself or as part of any society, organization, association, trust, etc. make regarding the relationship with the pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry clear and transparent open to scrutiny. (L3)
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