Drug major GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has let the cat out of the bag. It is shocking but true that GSK pays doctors to promote its drugs. This means helpless patients have been paying for the drugs as well as indirectly paying the doctors who prescribe them. Even though GSK claims to have taken a cleansing step voluntarily, there is no doubt it was prompted by the investigations launched in this regard in China. We need to ask ourselves whether China is overtaking us in enforcing ethical practices. Will Indian drug companies follow suit, or will they continue such practices till they get a rap on the knuckles by a regulator?
Angelo Extross, Pune
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