‘MCI to look into bribery charges against docs’
13 Aug 2014 5:43 AM IST
Taking cognizance of allegations against some doctors for accepting bribes to prescribe branded drugs, union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said Medical Council of India has been asked to look into the issue.
While replying to a supplementary question in Rajya Sabha regarding a sting operation allegedly showing doctors taking ‘gifts’ to prescribe branded drugs, Vardhan admitted some doctors were engaged in unethical practices and accepting indirect bribe.
The minister said a high-level committee was set up to look into a similar issue earlier and the health secretary and Medical Council of India (MCI) has been asked to include the latest one in the purview of the panel for early inquiry. Vardhan said, ‘We have asked the union health secretary and MCI to club the latest expose with the earlier inquiry committee, adding that doctors at CGHS and other government hospitals are encouraged to prescribe affordable generic drugs, instead of the branded medicines.
Vardhan admitted that some doctors still prescribe branded drugs out of ‘old habits’ and stressed that government will encourage recommendation of generic drugs by doctors. Vardhan said instructions are issued from time to time to restrict prescriptions to the medicines listed in formulary.
‘The procurement process is being further streamlined to ensure availability of generic drugs at affordable prices,’ he said. He said workshops for doctors will also be organised in the coming months.
While replying to a supplementary question in Rajya Sabha regarding a sting operation allegedly showing doctors taking ‘gifts’ to prescribe branded drugs, Vardhan admitted some doctors were engaged in unethical practices and accepting indirect bribe.
The minister said a high-level committee was set up to look into a similar issue earlier and the health secretary and Medical Council of India (MCI) has been asked to include the latest one in the purview of the panel for early inquiry. Vardhan said, ‘We have asked the union health secretary and MCI to club the latest expose with the earlier inquiry committee, adding that doctors at CGHS and other government hospitals are encouraged to prescribe affordable generic drugs, instead of the branded medicines.
Vardhan admitted that some doctors still prescribe branded drugs out of ‘old habits’ and stressed that government will encourage recommendation of generic drugs by doctors. Vardhan said instructions are issued from time to time to restrict prescriptions to the medicines listed in formulary.
‘The procurement process is being further streamlined to ensure availability of generic drugs at affordable prices,’ he said. He said workshops for doctors will also be organised in the coming months.
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