MP: PMO orders inquiry into doctors foreign trips funded by pharmas

Written by Meghna A Singhania Published On 2016-07-11T15:56:12+05:30 | Updated On 11 July 2016 3:56 PM IST

MP: PMO orders inquiry into doctors foreign trips funded by pharmas

MP and Chhattisgarh : A foreign trip taken by around 30 doctors belonging to the two states may prove highly costly, as the PMO is reported to have ordered an inquiry into the details of the same. It is alleged that the said foreign trip was taken at the expense of pharma companies, a fact that completely goes against the code of Medical Ethics.

According to the complaint that has led to this inquiry, pharma companies had spent around Rs 2 Lakh each for 30 doctors for sending them to Italy.

Reports have now come out, that the PMO has now written a letter to the to the chief secretaries of the two states, asking them to initiate action against the errant doctors.

This comes after the political pressure from parties demanding action from the government. In the month of May, Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia had written a letter to Sharad Jain, MoS Health in Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government, demanding action against the accused doctors.

This was followed by the MP State Health minister, Narottam Mishra seeking a detailed report in this regard. With the report recently being submitted by the department, it shall be followed by a formation of a high-level committee which shall probe further into the allegations

the Medical Council of India through its respective state branches also had issued notices to these 30 doctors asking them to provide details of the properties, bank accounts as well as foreign travels made, especially about the ITALY visit

"Most of the doctors accused of going on foreign tour as a favour from pharmaceutical companies are practising in Indore. We will investigate the matter and take prompt action as per the provisions of the law," assured MCI's Bhopal registrar Subodh Mishra.

"Doctors are barred from accepting any favours from pharmaceutical companies. We are collecting information on this matter. However, the doctors are not forthcoming in providing the details," says MCI's Raipur registrar, Srikant Rajimwale. The registrar also informed Catchnews, that while the notice was issued 5 months ago, many doctors have still not responded.

With the intervention of the PMO, the process might see some speeding up with the doctors facing cancellation if found guilty.

Meghna A Singhania

Meghna A Singhania is the founder and Editor-in-Chief at Medical Dialogues. An Economics graduate from Delhi University and a post graduate from London School of Economics and Political Science, her key research interest lies in health economics, and policy making in health and medical sector in the country. She is a member of the Association of Healthcare Journalists. She can be contacted at meghna@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751