The Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) has suspended the registrations of three dermatologists for 13 months over alleged professional misconduct linked to a pharmaceutical company-sponsored foreign trip.
The doctors — Dr Jagdishkumar Sakhiya and Dr Ami Shah from Surat, and Dr Geeta Patel from Ahmedabad — were among 30 doctors from nine states who attended medical conferences in Paris and Monaco in 2024. Their travel and hospitality expenses were allegedly paid by AbbVie Healthcare India Pvt Ltd.
The case is one of the few instances in which disciplinary action has been taken against doctors for accepting industry-sponsored overseas travel. The matter came to light after the National Medical Commission (NMC) found that doctors from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Assam and Kerala had allegedly received travel and hospitality benefits worth over Rs. 1 lakh each from the pharmaceutical company.
In its order issued on June 30, the GMC said accepting such benefits violated Clause 6.8 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. The council said its decision was based on the 2002 ethics regulations, the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (2014 and 2024), and resolutions passed by the GMC’s general body and executive committee.
Sources said the three doctors were served show-cause notices and given an opportunity to explain their stand. They submitted their replies and supporting documents on January 8 and June 29 before the council passed its final order.
During the 13-month suspension, the doctors will not be allowed to practise medicine in Gujarat or enjoy any rights and privileges associated with their medical registrations. Their registrations may be restored after the suspension period, subject to compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.