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A recent MBBS exam question from a university in Tamil Nadu has been circulating online, sparking heated debate. The question—"Are doctors allowed to accept gifts from the pharmaceutical industry? Explain your answer"—was part of the Third Professional Part II General Surgery exam under the Attitude, Ethics, and Communication (AETCOM) module.
After being uploaded on social media platform X on March 26, 2025, the question quickly went viral, garnering nearly 34,000 views. While some felt it encouraged ethical discussions in medical education, others questioned whether it was appropriate for a written exam.
Social media remains divided on whether such a question belongs in an MBBS exam. Some argued that ethical dilemmas should be explored through discussions and interviews rather than exams. Others saw it as an easy opportunity for students to earn marks with subjective or arbitrary responses that do not assess medical knowledge.
The debate also generated a fair share of sarcasm and humor.
Some users compared the question to ethics-related ones in the UPSC exams. One commented, "These kinds of questions are asked in UPSC ethics papers, not MBBS exams." Another sarcastically asked, "Can one plunder a country?"—drawing parallels between medical ethics and governance issues.
One user found the question laughable, writing, "AETCOM????"—suggesting it was more of a joke than a serious academic inquiry. Another remarked, "They won’t ask about surgery, but they'll make you write an essay on this—because they literally want a story."
Despite the skepticism, many defended the inclusion of such questions in medical exams. "Ethical questions should be part of all medical examinations," one user wrote. Others emphasized that the AETCOM module is crucial for shaping ethical doctors and preparing students for real-life dilemmas.
The controversy has fueled broader discussions on whether ethics should be tested in medical exams. Critics argue that ethical issues should be addressed through interviews, while supporters believe that written exams should include at least some ethical questions to establish a basic framework for future doctors. A discussion thread was created on MedBound Hub to discuss the matter. Some of the responses from the critics are:
Doctors should refrain from accepting pharmaceutical freebies that could lead to biased prescribing practices or undermine patient trust. While participation in educational programs and conferences funded by pharmaceutical companies may be acceptable, it must be done with full transparency. However, receiving gifts, lavish perks, or financial incentives that could sway clinical decisions should be strictly prohibited. Medical professionals must prioritize ethical standards, ensuring that their treatment choices are based solely on scientific evidence and the best interests of their patients rather than external influences
Dr. Himani Adarsh, MD Psychiatry, DM Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP)
My take is very clear on this: Patients’ best interests trump everything else for the physicians. Thus, as doctors we must stay away from pharmaceutical representatives, advertisements and incentives. Pharma industry must not offer any incentive or gifts to doctors and healthcare professionals. In USA, we never come across pharma representatives visiting our clinics or hospitals. But pharma industry supports educational efforts of academies and conferences.
Dr. Munish Raizada, MD, FAAP
The Attitude, Ethics, and Communication (AETCOM) module was introduced to equip medical students with essential competencies in professionalism, patient communication, and ethical decision-making. It aims to enhance ethical awareness and improve communication skills among future healthcare professionals.
Whether ethical issues should be part of MBBS exams remains a contentious topic. However, one thing is clear—this question has sparked discussions far beyond the classroom, highlighting broader ethical concerns in medicine and society.
Should ethics be a paper in MBBS exams?
The much-discussed question has set off other discussions on whether or not the questions of this type ought to be put in medical exams. The opponents say that ethics questions should be discussed in interviews, while proponents say these medical ethics ought to find a place in at least a few written exams, so that some basic ethical frameworks are in play once these graduate medics are licensed.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)
