| The relationship between doctor and patient is the | | | | medical representatives and interestingly noted |
| fulcrum of ethical medical practice. The | | | | that a doctor ask fee for meeting with medical |
| unnecessary prescriptions of the medicine results | | | | representative because he believed that the guy |
| in the increase burden on patients and decrease | | | | has taken his consultation time. |
| credibility of the doctors. One of my friends has | | | | Companies always strive towards inclusion of their |
| shared a very interesting incidence about his visit | | | | products in the hospital formulary (a list of |
| to an orthopedic doctor for a knee injury. A very | | | | number of selected products needs to be used in |
| costly pain killer injection was prescribed to him. | | | | the hospital during the entire year). |
| The poor person could not afford the cost of this | | | | This is very challenging task because it involves |
| injection and therefore, he visit to another doctor | | | | number of people in decision making. And in each |
| who immediately stopped all the medicines and | | | | step they must be obliged with some kickbacks |
| asked to return all to the chemist, because it was | | | | and other unfair means to include their product in |
| not necessary for him. | | | | the formulary. Various companies are offering |
| Another aspect of the unethical medical practice | | | | new model car to their important customers. |
| was observed during mega conferences and | | | | These cars are usually on the lease and a |
| events. Doctors are of the view that companies | | | | monthly pay back offers to the leasing |
| are making money and therefore they are | | | | companies. |
| pushing them hard towards unethical acts. | | | | It is interesting to note that if the company feels |
| A case was reported in which organizers of the | | | | that in a particular month desired sales are not |
| event have asked the representatives of the | | | | meet, then they immediately stop payment and |
| companies that if they want to exhibit their | | | | ask doctor that payment will re-start as soon as |
| products they must pay check for Rupees 5000, | | | | your prescription will reach to the desired level so |
| 00 for a small stall. And for accommodation of | | | | as the sales. |
| their sponsored doctors at convention center or in | | | | Most of the time doctors keeping attendance |
| hotels they must pay extra rental for at least | | | | register with him to note down date and time of |
| three rooms. | | | | the medical representatives and also the number |
| There is also no formal system exist that how | | | | of months he prescribed certain medications by |
| much fund they gathered during these events and | | | | the influence of the companies. |
| even bribes from companies. It is like money | | | | Not only is that doctor also asked for a payment |
| making game where every body is getting the | | | | for delivering presentation on disease |
| chance to buy new car, house and improve his | | | | management and even for the product. |
| bank account. | | | | There is no limit for this temptation towards |
| If the company wants to introduce its new | | | | prescribing the medicine. The question is that how |
| product in the ward they must give some | | | | to deal this situation. I am sure that there should |
| amount to the ward in charge approximately | | | | be some strict measures and laws against this |
| Rupees 5000 as a donation to the ward. | | | | barbarian act of medical practice. |
| It is also seen that doctor reluctant to meet | | | | |