News : It seems the pharma companies are worried about the new MCI (Medical council of India ) guidelines that restrict sponsorship for conferences and freebies to individual doctors . They think it is a big set back as it may interfere with doctor’s education and knowledge !
They have proposed new amendments and has asked the health ministry to advice the MCI accordingly .(ie To help them bring back the corrupt and bad practices that influence doctors prescribing behavior !)
It is true , for the growth of medical science , we require some sort of a business model and tax holidays for the companies for true & land mark discoveries . Currently the MCI allows to sponsor medical events or a conference for an institution or organization . But what these companies want is official permission to provide incentives to individual doctors and influence them ! . More shockingly they said doctors knowledge will suffer without these industrial support . It is an outright insult to all doctors who get educated for over decades* . In fact the heads of pharma companies require few lessons from the medical fraternity , how many drugs with dubious scientific value is playing havoc in health of the society !
Of course ,we can not blame the pharma companies for all . It is a collective evil.
Counter point
*This is a second slap on the face of medical profession ! I am sorry to say this , many of us ( Including the blogger ! ) are some way responsible for this state of affairs . Shockingly , few of our colleagues are proud to have illicit relationship with drug companies ! Younger generation no longer consider this as an offense , since they are born and brought up with capitation fee as their principal fodder. Commercial forces has taken over medical profession . Many of the colleges are owned by business barons and alcohol vendors in India . It is a well known fact , MBBS seats are now sold for 50lakhs (like 3 bed room flats ) . Agents transact black money in secret basements of medical colleges once considered as temple of the noble profession .
So what is in-store for the future ? . . . Self regulation is best regulation . . . Mahatma told us ! . It may be the most idealistic solution . . . but currently it appears self regulation is as bad as no regulation !
Link to the article
Dr.S.Venkatesan MD 