Clipping the wings of ‘tourist’ docs’ the Medical Council of India (MCI) has put a ban on pharmaceutical companies financing events and seminars attended by medical practitioners.

According to the MCI (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009, “A medical practitioner shall not accept any travel facility inside the country or outside, including rail, air, ship, cruise tickets, paid vacations etc, from any pharmaceutical or allied healthcare industry or their representatives for self and family members for vacation or for attending conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.”

About 10,000 doctors, attended large-scale medical events along with their family members which resulted in a huge turnout. The tourism sector had made about Rs 100 crore according to market estimates which proved as a boon for the tourism sector last year.

After the MCI guidelines the prospect of such events this year appears bleak. The amended rules also ban gifts and other favors offered by any pharmaceutical or allied health care industry or their representatives.

Calling it a positive step, the medical associations have welcomed the amendment. “Some pharmaceutical companies have been promoting corruption for undue benefits, bringing in bad reputation for other pharmaceutical companies as well as medical professionals,” said Dr S S Agarwal, national vice-president of Indian Medical Association.