Nepal Medical Council Warns Doctors on Consultancy Advertising
Nepal Medical Council (NMC) has cautioned doctors not to engage in commercial promotion for educational consultancies.
The Council stated that it has taken serious note of complaints that some registered doctors have been providing educational counselling for the commercial promotion of consultancies by allowing their names, photographs and academic degrees to be used on signboards, brochures, pamphlets and other promotional materials.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, 2082 Mangsir 16, the Council also reminded doctors of their professional Code of Ethics.
Reference to the 2017 Code of Ethics
The Council drew attention to Clause 5A of the “Nepal Medical Council Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 2017,” which clearly states:
“A medical practitioner should not allow her/his name to appear on any signboard which carries merchandise or service promotion. She/he should not allow the placement of her/his signboard to be associated with other signboards.”
The Council has reminded all doctors that this provision prohibits the use of their professional identity in connection with commercial advertising for consultancies or similar services.
Call for Compliance and Possible Sanctions
The Nepal Medical Council has requested all registered doctors and all concerned not to engage in or cause others to engage in such activities, or in any conduct that would violate the provisions of the “Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 2017.”
It has further stated that doctors who violate the Code will be subject to penalties in accordance with Clause 9 of the same Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 2017.
