Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) on Monday issued a warning notice to five doctors in the state for self-advertising and promoting, which is a serious violation of the code of medical ethics under the Medical Council of India (MCI) and also a violation of the Magic Remedies Act.
The five doctors include Dr Amarnath Upadhye and Dr Anil Patil from Mumbai,, Dr Lohiya Bhagwandas, Dr Shaukat Kazi and Dr Umesh Mundada belonging to other districts in the state.
Of the five doctors, only two belong to Mumbai, while the rest from other districts in the state. The regular advertisements by these doctors were brought to the MMC’s notice by several medical organisations.
MMC summoned the five doctors for hearing and issued them a warning after they submitted an unconditional apology. “If they indulge in advertising again, they are liable for suspension of their licenses also. Most of these doctors published advertisements on a regular basis proclaiming good results. For instance, one of them in an advertisement claimed to cure diabetes through surgery. Such false claims are a violation of both the code of medical ethics set by the MCI and the Magic Remedies Act,” said an MMC member.
According to the MCI regulations, a registered medical practitioner cannot indulge in soliciting patients by advertising in any manner. Doctors cannot print their photographs on letterheads. Even signboards are considered as self-advertisement.“MMC has decided to take serious action against the advertisements in any form by doctors and, or hospitals. Advertisements by corporate hospitals will involve action against the doctors of the advertised specialty. We will also recommend the appropriate authority to cancel the registration of the hospitals,” said Dr Kishore Taori, president, MMC.