The National Medical Commission (NMC) has not yet taken disciplinary action against 30 doctors who were found guilty of accepting a foreign trip sponsored by pharmaceutical company AbbVie. The delay, according to official confirmation, is linked to significant vacancies within the commission’s Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), which is responsible for handling such cases.

Vacancies Stall Disciplinary Process

The EMRB, which oversees ethical conduct and registration matters for medical professionals, currently faces a severe manpower shortage. Four out of its five key positions remain unfilled, leaving the board unable to convene or make formal decisions on pending disciplinary issues. This administrative gap has effectively stalled the process of enforcing penalties or sanctions against the doctors involved in the AbbVie-funded trip.

Background of the Case

The case involves 30 medical practitioners who were found guilty of accepting a foreign trip financed by AbbVie, a global pharmaceutical company. Such actions are considered violations of ethical guidelines that prohibit doctors from receiving gifts or benefits from pharmaceutical firms that could influence their professional judgment. The findings were submitted to the NMC for further action, but progress has been hindered due to the lack of a functioning ethics board.

NMC Chairperson Confirms Administrative Challenges

The newly appointed chairperson of the National Medical Commission acknowledged the issue and confirmed that steps are being considered to address it. According to the chairperson, the absence of board members has created an administrative bottleneck that prevents timely decisions on disciplinary matters. To ensure continuity and accountability, discussions are underway about forming a temporary or ad hoc committee that can handle pending cases until the vacancies are officially filled.

Ethics Oversight Under Scrutiny

The situation has drawn attention to broader concerns about regulatory efficiency within India’s top medical authority. The Ethics and Medical Registration Board plays a crucial role in maintaining professional standards and ensuring that doctors adhere to established codes of conduct. Delays in addressing proven violations risk undermining public confidence in medical governance and could set an undesirable precedent for future cases involving ethical breaches.

Possible Steps Toward Resolution

While no formal timeline has been announced, officials have indicated that filling the vacant positions remains a priority for restoring normal operations within the EMRB. The proposed temporary board is expected to expedite decisions on long-pending cases like this one, ensuring that accountability mechanisms remain functional even amid administrative transitions.

In conclusion, the National Medical Commission’s delay in acting against 30 doctors found guilty of accepting a pharma-sponsored trip highlights ongoing structural challenges within its ethics wing. With most positions in its oversight board lying vacant, crucial disciplinary actions remain on hold. The commission’s leadership has recognized these constraints and is exploring interim solutions to uphold ethical standards until permanent appointments are made—a step seen as essential for preserving trust in India’s medical regulatory framework.