Even before the dust and heat created by the Piramal Healthcare and Dr Reddy's ‘gifts’ to the doctors settled down, several cases of pharmaceutical companies sponsoring tours of doctors have come to the open. These cases are being investigated by the Medical Council of India,it is learnt.

According to sources, notwithstanding the MCI’s directive to the doctors warning them of strict action for accepting any kind of gifts from the pharma companies in lieu of promoting their drugs, several doctors are still accepting the freebies thrown by the companies. According to reports, pharma companies continue to sponsor tours of doctors in contravention of the MCI rules.

Piramal Healthcare had taken some 200 diabetologists to Turkey in late January this year followed by a batch of oncologists in mid-March to the same destination. Similarly, Dr Reddy's Lab had reportedly paid for about 200 doctors to visit Hyderabad in January. The MCI is investigating both the issues.

According to sources, an unknown body calling itself as "Udaan Diabetes Care Foundation" had organised "Regional Insulin Summit Meet - North" at Fortune Grace Hotel, Mussorie in the second week of April where over 50 rooms were reserved. The Bangalore-based Novo Nordisk which sells insulin in the country is learnt to have sponsored the programme.

Some time ago, the same company had distributed thousands of copies of a glossy, four colour publicity booklet under the title "Levemir: Indian Experience" which carried the photographs and endorsements by 63 diabetologists in violation of the MCI rule (6.1) which clearly states "A physician shall not give any approval, endorsement with respect to any drug, or any commercial product," an expert said.

Navi Mumbai-based Wanbury dispatched some 100 doctors to Dubai in mid February and put them up at luxurious Dhow Palace Hotel. Lupin held an all expense paid promotional event at Indore in late February and reserved rooms in three luxurious hotels (Sayaji, Amar Vilas and Landmark Fortune) for obliging doctors mainly from Madhya Pradesh. MCI is investigating the issue.

MCI is also understood to have received information on Macleods having dispatched just over 90 doctors to Bangkok in the third week of February and an another team of 100 doctors to Dubai in early March.

The Ahmedabad-based Troikka is learnt to have distributed some LCDs. This issue is also being investigated by the MCI.