The paracetamol Dolo- 650 mg was prescribed by the doctors during the pandemic. One thing we need to understand here is that they did not prescribe it to us free-of-cost. The doctors received freebies worth 1000 Cr for prescribing higher dose.
Serious issue
Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Aparna Bhat, represented an NGO, ‘Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India’. He brought this issue to the notice of the Supreme court. A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna described this as a “serious issue.”
High Profit margin
Added to that the market price of any tablet upto 500 mg is regulated under price control mechanism of the central government. However, the drug above 500 mg can be fixed by the Pharma company. Hence to ensure a higher profit margin, the paracetamol makers distributed freebies to doctors.
Justice Chandrachud said, even he got the same paracetamol tablets when he had corona virus. Hence, he wants to hear from the Centre on this issue.
Pharma companies
Furthermore, Parikh claimed that this is an important issue in the public interest. He submitted that Pharmaceutical companies are claiming that they are not liable for punishment as the bribe-takers are the doctors.
Moreover, Parikh reiterated that the government should look into this aspect. In addition to that the code should be made statutory in nature. He said, “as we all know what happened with Remdesivir injections and other drugs of those combinations”.
Indian Medical Council
In the petition, it is stated that the code is given by the Indian Medical Council. (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) . The Regulations of 2002 prescribe a Code of conduct for doctors in their relationship with the pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry, and prohibit acceptance of gifts and entertainment, travel facilities, hospitality, cash or monetary grants by medical practitioners from Pharmaceutical companies.
However, this Code is enforceable against doctors. Moreover, it does not apply to drug companies. According to the code, the doctors’ licences are cancelled for misconduct which is actuated, encouraged, aided, and abetted by pharma companies. But the pharma companies go scot-free.
The next hearing is on 29 September, 2022.
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