"Sir, there is a circular for doctors" the clerk told me. I looked at it.
"All doctors are prohibited from accepting gifts and covers from pharma representatives. If they do so, they will be punished."
But that was known in times of Hippocrates too, and he had put it in his oath too (not to do so, I mean). Some modern Hippocrates wanted doctors to take their oaths again.
"Put it up on the noticeboard" I advised. That was done.When the staff members had had time to read the circular, they started a discussion, not knowing I was around.
"The service rules state we cannot accept gifts, except may be a flower" someone said.
"Not you cannot take even a flower" someone else said.
"No junkets?" a seasoned traveler asked.
"No!"
"Not even conferences abroad or in India?"
"No!"
"New year calendar or diary?"
"Probably not."
"Drug samples?"
"Probably yes."
"But why only doctors?"
"That is the current fashion in the media. A lot has been said and nothing has been done about politicians, administrators and clerical bribe recipients. Now it is our turn."
"You mean nothing will be done about doctors who receive gifts?" This sounded like an optimist.
"Only time will tell" a wise one said. "If you will take the chance, I am ready to wait and see what happens if you get caught." He said this with a smile, and everybody laughed.
"All doctors are prohibited from accepting gifts and covers from pharma representatives. If they do so, they will be punished."
But that was known in times of Hippocrates too, and he had put it in his oath too (not to do so, I mean). Some modern Hippocrates wanted doctors to take their oaths again.
"Put it up on the noticeboard" I advised. That was done.When the staff members had had time to read the circular, they started a discussion, not knowing I was around.
"The service rules state we cannot accept gifts, except may be a flower" someone said.
"Not you cannot take even a flower" someone else said.
"No junkets?" a seasoned traveler asked.
"No!"
"Not even conferences abroad or in India?"
"No!"
"New year calendar or diary?"
"Probably not."
"Drug samples?"
"Probably yes."
"But why only doctors?"
"That is the current fashion in the media. A lot has been said and nothing has been done about politicians, administrators and clerical bribe recipients. Now it is our turn."
"You mean nothing will be done about doctors who receive gifts?" This sounded like an optimist.
"Only time will tell" a wise one said. "If you will take the chance, I am ready to wait and see what happens if you get caught." He said this with a smile, and everybody laughed.
