Question : GIFTS TO DOCTORS

(a) whether Medical Council of India (MCI) has proposed to prohibit doctors from accepting gifts from the pharmaceutical or allied health care companies;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard;

(c) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory for pharmaceutical companies to report promotional expenses in their annual reports by replacing existing voluntary codes of conduct as per the practice in some developed countries;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to impart etiquette training to the doctors and other medical professionals?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI)

(a) to (e): As per the Code of Medical Ethics of Medical Council of India it has been prescribed that a physician shall not give, solicit, or receive nor shall he offer to give, solicit or received, any gift, gratuity, commission or bonus in consideration of or return for the referring, recommending or procuring of any patient for medical, surgical or other treatment. These provisions shall apply with equal force to the referring, recommending or procuring by a physician of any person, specimen or material for diagnostic, or other study or work. The Medical Council of India or the State Medical Councils are empowered to award such punishment as deemed necessary or even removal of the name of any registered practitioner from the Register altogether or for a specified period in respect of any act of violation of the Code of Ethics which may be brought before it, after conducting an enquiry. The proposal of Medical Council of India to make the existing provisions more stringent has since been approved by the Central Government.