Inquiry initiated against doctors taking freebies: Govt to HC Srinagar, April 08: (GNS) The state government has initiated inquiry against doctors named in a Public Interest Litigation to have taken freebies and gifts from pharmaceutical companies for prescribing their medicine. This was revealed by the government before a division bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and D S Thakur while submitting ‘statement of facts’ in compliance to previous directions from the court. According to GNS, the PIL was filed last year by three persons— Naseer Ahmad Shah, Lateef Panjabi and Imtiyaz Ahmad Shah— following reports in section of press, highlighting nexus between the doctors and pharma companies offering and taking “cash, freebies, kickback or gifts for prescribing medicines of Macro Lab Ltd.” The petitioner have alleged in the PIL that Dr.Abdul Majeed Wani (Gastroenterologist) , Dr. Jawaid A Zargar (senior ENT specialist), Dr. FA Peerzada (Physician) and Dr Firdous Ahmad Vaid took freebies and claimed to have proof against them. Meanwhile, the division bench of the court on perusal of statement of facts said that it reveal that Secretary Health and Medical Education Department has issued a circular whereby doctors practicing in the field of medicine have been prohibited from receiving freebies/gifts from the pharmaceutical companies. Likewise pharmaceutical companies have been asked not to make any arrangements for tours of doctors within or outside the country. “We direct Secretary Health and Medical Education to locate statutory provisions under which circular has been issued so that the circular has a binding effect and disciplinary proceedings are initiated against the erring doctors,” the court said. The petitioners have demanded initiation of action against the doctors who are involved in the commission and omission of offenses besides cancellation of their licenses. The petitioners also demand ascertaining assets and constitution of task force to look into such type of offences. Besides they also seek black listing of the companies who are offering cash, freebies or Kickbacks and also action against the representatives who are promoting. The petitioners also seek imparting of moral education to medical students during their training in medical training. Pertinently, following media reports on August 21 last year, Government had constituted a 3-member team to inquire the allegations levelled against doctors who received freebies from Micro-Labs Bangalore for prescribing their medicine. The team comprised of HOD Medicine Dr. Saima Bhat, Medical Superintendent (SMHS), Nazir Ahmad Chowdary and Registrar Government Medical College Srinagar, Dr. Wasim Khalid. After the panel submitted its report, Dr. Abdul Majeed Wani was attached to the office of the Principal GMC College. Principal Medical College, Dr. Qazi Masood Ahmad had told GNS that there is a specific media report about Dr. Majid having received freebies from Micro-Labs and “we have initiated a departmental enquiry into the issue.” Documents reveal that the renowned Gastroenterologist, Dr. Majeed has purchased sanitary items of rupees 40,000 which company has reimbursed them for prescribing Clariwin, Pulmoxyl and Moxigram range.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 14:02:41 +0000
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