The Indian Medical Association (IMA), a national organisation of doctors, has taken a serious note on the allegations about pharmaceutical companies and the device industry putting undue influence on the medical conferences in the country and banned their sponsorship for such events. The decision comes amid reports that drugs and devices of sponsors are being promoted at medical conferences. The apex body has asked doctors to pool in money for the conference and keep it low-key to save money.
It is reported that the association has asked its state and local units to raise funds from member doctors to organise conferences and functions instead of seeking sponsorship. The decision was taken at a meeting on Wednesday. A recent magazine cover story had chronicled the nexus between vaccine companies and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) which is almost exclusively funded by such…
