Indian Law Watch 
Pharmacists Facing Registration Issues on Digital Platform Should Submit Details: PCI Advises
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) launched an updated DIGI-PHARMed application on December 1. This application features four integrated services and aims to regulate pharmacy education nationwide by enrolling and registering pharmacists, pharmacy students, and aspiring pharmacists throughout India. The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has requested that pharmacists facing registration issues on the DIGI-PHARMed portal due to identity proof already present in the system submit their details to the Council along with a declaration.
- The DIGI-PHARMed portal is a cloud-based digital platform developed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
- It is a centralized resource for pharmacy institutions, faculty, students, and pharmacists nationwide.
- Launched on December 1, 2023, the portal aims to digitize enrollment and registration processes.
- Key benefits include improved efficiency, transparency, and user satisfaction.
- A redesigned DIGI-PHARMed application will be introduced on December 1st, featuring four integrated services.
- The application is intended to regulate pharmacy education in India by enrolling and registering pharmacy institutions, pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacist job seekers.
Doctors may face suspension in NMC probe over pharma-sponsored trips
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has launched an investigation into 30 doctors accused of participating in pharma-sponsored foreign trips to Monaco and Paris. If found guilty, they could face suspension from the Indian Medical Register for a period ranging from three months to over a year, depending on the severity of the violation. According to experts, the NMC (previously the Medical Council of India) has previously taken disciplinary action, including suspending licenses, against HCPs found guilty of accepting inducements.
Under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, it is deemed unethical for medical practitioners to:
- Accept travel facilities (domestic or international), paid vacations, or hospitality under any pretext from pharmaceutical companies.
Penalties for Violations:
- Expenses ₹1,000–₹5,000: Censure.
- Expenses ₹5,000–₹1 lakh: Suspension from the Indian Medical Register or State Medical Register for 3 months to 1 year.
- Expenses exceeding ₹1 lakh: Suspension for more than 1 year.
Telangana Medical Council Issues Show-Cause Notice to Hyderabad Hospital Over Alleged Collaboration with Unqualified Practitioners
The Telangana Medical Council has issued a show-cause notice to a Hyderabad-based hospital for allegedly collaborating with unqualified practitioners and promoting fraudulent doctors. The action follows the hospital’s sponsorship of a medical program and its social media advertisements, where unqualified individuals were reportedly encouraged to participate.
The hospital has been given 10 days to respond; failure to do so may lead to punitive measures under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act and other regulations.
Allegations Against the Hospital:
- Sponsoring an annual meeting of the Sushruta Rural Medical Association, a group allegedly consisting of unqualified practitioners.
- Advertising and inviting public participation in the event while allegedly colluding with unqualified individuals.
- Engaging unqualified individuals to refer patients on a commission basis.
The Council has specifically taken action against the hospital for its involvement in sponsoring the 18th annual meeting of the Sushruta Rural Medical Association in Nalgonda on December 24, where fake doctors were allegedly encouraged. According to Medical Dialogues websites, the Council has clarified that failure to provide an explanation within the deadline will attract punitive action under the law.
GNLU hosts MEDLAWCON 2025, expands medical law education and policy initiatives
The GNLU Centre for Healthcare, Ethics, Legal Advocacy, and Policy Research (G-HELP), inaugurated in September 2024, continues its expansion by offering the third batch of the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Law, Policy, and Ethics in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat Chapter. G-HELP also hosted MEDLAWCON 2025, bringing together legal and medical experts to discuss India’s medico-legal landscape. The event, held on 11 January 2025, featured Justice Ilesh Vohra, Dr Alexander Thomas, and Dr Mehul Shah as key speakers, addressing critical topics like medical negligence, legal protections for doctors, and healthcare policy reforms. Prof (Dr) Shanthakumar, Director of GNLU, emphasized the synergy between medicine and law, while Dr Mehul Shah and Dr Alexander Thomas highlighted the evolving legal framework shaping the medical profession. Justice Ilesh Vohra underscored the importance of legal awareness for doctors, citing Jacob Matthew v. State of Punjab as a landmark case in medical negligence law. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Nitin Malik, appreciating the contributions of speakers, participants, and organizers in fostering collaboration between the healthcare and legal sector.
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