The tie-up of Pharmacies and Doctors
A large quantum of income to the hospitals
usually comes from in patients who are sold medicines at MRP at a very high
profit margin whereas the same medicines are available at 100-400% less
outside. But indoor patients are not allowed to get drugs or consumables from
outside.
A study of medical trade practices in Mumbai
sponsored by World Health Organization reveals the unethical and illegal trade practices
of doctors and drug companies. Pharmaceutical companies sponsor Continuous
Medical Education [CME] camps, where they develop personal bonds with the
doctors, which they further strengthen with sponsored cocktail parties and then
overseas trips. The net result of such favour ultimately burdens the patients
admitted in the hospitals who are prescribed drugs from specific companies that
may be much costlier than other brands available outside.
Number of
cases came up again before the Apex court by professionals from all the fields
and the Hon’ble Supreme court while deciding the matter against medical
professionals in a criminal case of Mathew Jacob v State of Punjab 2005 CTJ 1085 SC, held that
“In law of
negligence, professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, architects and others are
included in the category of persons professing some special skill and
professional may be held liable for negligence.”