‘Dolo tablet makers doled out Rs 1,000 crore in freebies to doctors,’ SC told

NEW DELHI: Makers of popular paracetamol tablet Dolo-650 have distributed freebies worth about Rs 1,000 crore to doctors as consideration for prescribing the tablet, it has been alleged.
Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, representing an NGO Federation of Medical Sales Representatives Association of India, told the Supreme Court that the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made the allegation about Dolo-650 makers.
Parikh also brought to the notice of the court that the market price of any tablet up to 500mg is regulated under price control mechanism of the government but the price of drug above 500mg can be fixed by manufacturer pharma Company.
He said that to ensure a higher profit margin, Dolo-650 makers distributed freebies to doctors to prescribe the drug.
The apex court bench called it “a serious issue,” and asked additional solicitor general KM Natraj, representing the Centre, to file a reply within 10 days.

The court was hearing a PIL seeking directions to make pharmaceutical companies liable for giving freebies to doctors as incentive to prescribe their drugs.
The plea claimed that there are abundant examples that show how corruption in the pharmaceutical sector endangers positive health outcomes and puts patients’ health at risk.
It also sought that a statutory code of ethical marketing for the pharmaceutical industry, with penal consequences, be established to curb such practices for the enforcement of the Fundamental Right to Health of the people of India. It also said that such unethical practices continue due to the voluntary nature of the existing code.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on September 29, 2022.
A counsel sought permission from the court to file an intervention on behalf of pharma companies, which the court allowed saying it would like to hear them also on the issue.
(With agency inputs)