Doctors have to be careful while accepting any gift or compensation from pharmaceutical companies because MCI has specifies some amendments in Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations has been passed. The Section 6.8.1 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations specifies that a doctor cannot accept:
- Gifts from pharmaceutical or allied health care firms.
- Travel facilities from pharmaceutical firms or allied healthcare firms for self and family members for vacation or for attending conferences, seminars, workshops, CME programme etc as a delegate.
- Hospitality, such as hotel accommodation for self and family members under any pretext.
- Cash or monetary grants.
The amendments to the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 have been passed by the MCI’s general body as well as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A gazette notification will be out soon. Till now, Section 6.8.1 of the MCI Code of Ethics broadly emphasized that doctors should not receive cash or gifts from pharmaceutical companies or allied health care industry representatives
Punishment for doctors will depend upon amount of bribe, he has taken, e.g. for Rs. 1000 to 5000 – warning Rs. 5000 to 10000 – Suspension from State Medical Council for three months Rs. 10000 to 50000 – Suspension for six months Above 50000 – suspension for one year. Amendment has been passed and will publish in gazette soon. The new amendments will not leave any ambiguity in the kind of punishment.