The administration of the Union territory of Chandigarh repatriated a government doctor who had been accused of having a nexus with a local pharmaceutical company. The health administration also terminated the services of another doctor who was working on a contract basis, on similar grounds.

The decision was taken by the authorities after a sting operation by a private news channel exposed the nexus between the government doctors and a pharmaceutical company/brand at the Government Multispeciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16.

The UT health secretary, Ajay Chagti, said in his written orders that Dr. Aman Sood, who was posted at the orthopedic department as a Medical Officer at the UT health department on a deputation basis, was immediately repatriated/relieved to his parent state, Haryana, on administrative grounds.

Mr. Chagti said that he has requested the Superintendent of Police (SP) to probe the case further under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He further added that a detailed inquiry will also be initiated, and disciplinary action will be recommended based on the report.

The sting operation shed light on the fact that the accused doctor had been prescribing locally manufactured medicines in return for a commission. The sting operation also showed evidence by a medical representative that the alleged doctor had received an advance payment of Rs 50,000.

Based on these revelations, the UT health department conducted its own investigations, which threw light on repeated transactions of money from a person to the wife of the doctor deputed at GMSH Sector 16.

It was earlier reported that the Union Government had barred the medical representatives (MRs) of pharmaceutical companies from visiting government hospital premises. It had further mandated that a new launch must be communicated through email.

The directive followed a mandate from the erstwhile Medical Council of India (now the National Medical Commission, or NMC) to only prescribe generic medicines. Despite this, the central government noted that many doctors and residents in government hospitals, central government health scheme (CGHS) wellness centers, and polyclinics continued to prescribe branded medicines.

There have been several instances of the Government cracking down on the unethical doctor-pharma nexus. In a similar incident, two CGHS doctors were suspended for allegedly prescribing medicines manufactured by a particular pharma company.

Mr. Chagti further informed that to tackle the menace, the health department is taking short-term measures at its level. Further, it plans to implement reforms related to transparency.

(Inputs from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sushmita Ganguli)