What is the Dolo-650 controversy? Rs 1000 Cr-worth freebies distributed to doctors
When it comes to fever or common flu medication, Dolo-650 has remained a household name. The company peaked during the Covid-19 pandemic when doctors recommended the tablet as the first-line treatment for any mild symptoms. Micro Labs, the company that manufactures Dolo-650 tablets, saw its profits skyrocket during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, the drug’s manufacturer is embroiled in a controversy after the Federation of Medical & Sales Representatives Association of India (FMRAI) claims that it gave freebies worth Rs 1000 crores to doctors in order to push the drug.
What is the Dolo-650 controversy?
According to the FMRAI vs Union of India case currently being heard in the Supreme Court, Micro Labs allegedly gave doctors freebies totalling more than Rs 1000 crores to prescribe Dolo-650 as the go-to drug for all patients with flu symptoms.
Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for petitioner ‘Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India,’ told a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna that the market price of any tablet up to 500mg is regulated under the government’s price control mechanism, but the price of drug above 500mg can be fixed by manufacturer Pharma Company.
He stated that in order to increase profit margins, the company provided freebies to doctors who prescribed the Dolo drug with a dosage capacity of 650mg. The advocate went on to say that the Dolo-650 prescription for most of the patients was an “irrational dose combination,” to which Justice Chandrachud responded that the drug was exactly what he was given when he had Covid-19.
The plea filed against the pharmaceutical company stated that, while they have labelled this practice as a sales promotion, several “unethical” benefits such as gifts and entertainment, sponsored foreign trips, hospitality, and other benefits are offered to doctors to push the drug.
It stated that unethical drug promotion can negatively influence doctors’ prescription attitudes and harm human health through over-use/over-prescription of drugs, prescribing higher doses of drugs than necessary, prescribing drugs for a longer period of time than necessary, prescribing a greater number of drugs than necessary, and prescribing an irrational combination of drugs.
Though Dolo-650 is typically regarded as “safe” paracetamol, the excessive dosage has been linked to severe liver damage. People with liver disease, kidney disease, or alcoholism are advised not to use this medication. Liked this post? Don’t forget to check out our other short stories in our Quick Read section.