Three Gujarat Dermatologists Suspended for 13 Months Over Sponsored Trip

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) has suspended the registrations of three dermatologists from the state for 13 months over alleged professional misconduct linked to an industry-sponsored foreign trip.

The doctors, Dr Jagdishkumar Sakhiya and Dr Ami Shah from Surat, and Dr Geeta Patel from Ahmedabad, were among 30 medical professionals from nine states who attended international conferences in Paris and Monaco in 2024. Their travel and hospitality expenses were allegedly borne by biotech firm AbbVie Healthcare India Pvt Ltd.

It is learnt that this is among the rare instances where disciplinary action has been taken against doctors over industry-sponsored overseas trips. The issue came under scrutiny after the National Medical Commission (NMC) found that doctors from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Assam and Kerala had allegedly accepted travel and hospitality benefits worth more than Rs. 1 lakh per participant from the pharmaceutical company.

In its order dated June 30, the GMC stated that accepting such benefits amounted to a violation of Clause 6.8 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. The council said the decision was taken after considering the provisions of the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (2014 and 2024), the 2002 ethics regulations, and resolutions passed by the GMC’s general body and executive committee.

Sources said the three doctors were issued show-cause notices and were given an opportunity to present their case. They submitted their responses and supporting documents on January 8 and June 29 before the final order was passed.

Under the suspension order, the doctors will not be permitted to practise medicine in Gujarat or exercise any rights or privileges arising from their medical registration during the 13-month suspension period. Their registrations may be restored after the suspension ends, subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of the law and rules. DeshGujarat