Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Doctors are unethically “obliged”

It is well known that the pharmaceutical companies are offering “freebies” to doctors, thus obliging them to prescribe their products. There was a report in the Times of India on the subject. The freebies depend on the quantity of the product prescribed, and it can be as expensive as a “trip abroad for two”, “free travel for conferences”, etc. Naturally, this unnecessary promotional expenditure results in enhanced market price of the drugs which is ultimately passed on to the consumer (a patient). For some undisclosed reasons, the India government is very soft in tackling this unethical practice being “practiced” by the doctors, chemists and the pharma companies. This is unacceptable and unethical marketing practice which should be curbed.

The Indian laws to prevent such malpractices are vague in terms of false assurances by the stakeholders of self-regulation and medical ethics. The two concerned organizations, viz., Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and Organization of Pharmaceutical Products of India (OPPI) are not doing enough to curb this menace.

It is time that the Drug Controller General of India should bring in strict regulations, and penalties (such as, blacklisting of the erring doctors and pharma companies) to stop companies from offering of freebies to doctors.

1 comment:

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