A circular allegedly issued by Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kerala Chapter, urging its members to prescribe more products of several reputed and large pharmaceutical companies has stirred up a protest from certain NGOs in Kerala.

The NGOs, Health Action by People and Janajagratha Samithi, alleges that the IMA had issued a circular asking its members at Palakkad district to extend 'exclusive support' to certain pharmaceutical companies and their products, for at least three months, to reciprocate the aids provided by these companies on the state conference of the Association.

The circular, allegedly from IMA, has listed out 84 products of 56 pharma companies including Dr.Reddy's Laboratories, Pfizer, Ranbaxy, Glaxo SmithKline, Sandoz, Merck, Abbot, Novo Nordisk, Cipla, Zydus Cadila, TTK Pharma, Serum Institute, Bal Pharma, Aventis Pharma, Eros Pharma and German Remedies. The circular also suggests to keep the letter in the consultation room for at least three months and to give wholehearted support to the companies and their products.

"Such a quid pro quo move from the Association is totally unethical and it is learnt that the Association even discussed to blacklist the pharmaceutical companies, which have not supported the conference conducted from May 11 to 13 at Palakkad. But the move has been cancelled due to instant disagreement of IMA members," Dr.C R Soman, Chairman, Health Action by People told Pharmabiz. Most of the products listed are irrelevant medicines or tonics, calcium tablets, iron tablets and antibiotics, rather than lifesaving drugs, he said.

Though the document, sent to more than 200 doctors in the district, has mentioned the names of Dr.C K Chandrasekhar, President, IMA Kerala Chapter, Dr.K Haridas, President, IMA Palakkad district, Dr. T S Ramaswamy, Chairman and Dr. B Gopal, Convenor of Convention Sponsorship Committee, it was neither in the official letterhead of IMA nor it contained signatures of any of the officials.

According to Dr.P S Panicker, Chairman of Janajagratha Samithi, the anonymity of the circular is planned to avoid legal issues, while many doctors in IMA confirmed the preparation of the document. Alleging that the IMA conspired to market drugs of pharma companies for 'favours' received, the Palakkad based Janajagratha Samithi has commenced agitation against the IMA leadership. The Samithi claims support from majority of the doctors in the district and also plans to seek legal opinion on the issue.

When contacted, the IMA officials denied the allegation and commented that the move is a conspiracy to defame the reputation of the association. The anonymity of the document, without the official letterhead and authorized signature, shows that the circular has been fabricated with vested interest, according to the officials.

"The controversy was plotted by a local member of IMA from Palakkad, who had been trying to get into the top forum of Association. We have started disciplinary action against this member and are ready to explain the matter to the public," Dr. R Ramesh, Secretary, IMA Kerala Chapter said. He added that the association feels nothing unethical in attaining sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies to conduct state conferences.