When the list of doctors on this pharma-funded trip came out, the National Medical Commission was not happy. Its Ethics Board had already sent a reminder to all state medical councils in May, demanding ‘prompt, time-bound action’ against the doctors involved.
Gujarat moved fast, conducted hearings on January 8 and June 29, and issued the suspension. Now, the heat is on other states. Their medical councils also have to report what action they’ve taken against their own doctors who were part of the same trip.
The case is now a part of a broader national inquiry into alleged industry-funded foreign travel for doctors. Earlier reports had estimated the total value of the overseas trips at around Rs 2 crore.
While some state medical councils have already initiated action, others are still in the process of submitting compliance reports to the NMC.
In May this year, the NMC’s Ethics and Medical Registration Board sent a reminder to state councils, asking them to complete the proceedings in a time-bound manner.