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New Delhi: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is facing mounting scrutiny after refusing to disclose the names of 30 doctors who allegedly accepted foreign trips worth Rs 1.91 crore from AbbVie Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., in violation of the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP). The trips, which included luxury stays in Monaco and Paris under the pretext of medical conferences, were found by a Special Audit Committee to be genuine violations, yet the identities of the implicated doctors remain shielded from public view.
Timeline of Events
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In late 2024, a complaint was lodged alleging that AbbVie Healthcare sponsored extravagant trips for 30 doctors associated with medical aesthetics and anti-ageing products such as Botox and Juvederm.
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The DoP’s Apex Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices reprimanded AbbVie Healthcare and referred the matter for further action, including a request to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to assess tax liabilities for the company and the doctors involved.
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The Committee also directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take disciplinary action against the doctors under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, which explicitly prohibit doctors from accepting travel facilities or paid vacations from pharmaceutical companies1.
Lack of Transparency
Kerala-based health activist Dr. KV Babu filed a Right to Information (RTI) application on December 28, 2024, seeking the names of the 30 doctors. After a five-month wait, the DoP denied the request, citing Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which exempts disclosure of personal information unless it serves the public interest12. Dr. Babu also approached the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC, which replied on May 8, 2025, stating it had not received the list of doctors from the DoP.
Dr. Babu expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, “Though the Apex Committee took the decision on 23/12/24, the EMRB did not receive any communication till May 8th. So also the DoP refused to share even the names of the thirty doctors in a reply after five months. The only punishment so far is ‘reprimanding the Pharma company’!”
Regulatory and Ethical Concerns
The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, strictly prohibit doctors from accepting any form of travel facility or paid vacation from pharmaceutical or allied healthcare industries for themselves or their families, whether for leisure or for attending conferences1. Despite clear findings of wrongdoing, no action has been taken against the doctors involved, and the NMC has yet to receive their names as of May 8, 2025.
Ongoing Questions
The secrecy surrounding the identities of the doctors and the lack of disciplinary action have raised questions about accountability and transparency in the regulation of pharmaceutical marketing practices in India. Critics argue that withholding the names undermines public trust and hampers efforts to enforce ethical standards in the medical profession.
“Why is the DoP hesitant to send the names to NMC & disclose the names? Any second thoughts?” — Dr. KV Babu
Disclaimer: This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues and related RTI responses as of June 2025. The identities of the doctors involved have not been officially disclosed, and no disciplinary action has been confirmed by the National Medical Commission at the time of publication. The situation may evolve as further information becomes available.
