Guard yourself from false claims on ‘Miracle drugs’

All doctors are now warned against making tall claims on social media, especially after the fiasco that ensued after a prominent hospital in Mumbai circulated a video about Parkinson’s Disease being cured by Apomorphine. The hospital had released this controversial clip on YouTube making an FDA-unapproved drug seem like a wonder cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

In the video, a former physiotherapist of the Indian cricket team Dr. Ali Irani is captured praising the efficacy of Apomorphine. This is not only unethical but also against the law. The video also showed a patient, who was struggling to lift his arms or walk, moving easily and even indulging in push-ups minutes after being injected with Apomorphine. However, the video did not clarify that the drug’s intended result lasted for only an hour or so and that it had not undergone any trials in India. Besides, it also lacked the all-important approval from Food and Drug Administration. The video clip also failed to mention the side effects.

Eventually, the hospital had to remove the video as criticism mounted yet the video footage remains in circulation on WhatsApp.

As per the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, doctors cannot solicit patients directly or indirectly. The State Medical Council is a statutory body with powers to suspend the license of doctors if they are found guilty of malpractice. Section 6.1 of its Code of Medical Ethics mentions a doctor cannot advertise his/her work alone or with peers for soliciting patients.

It is thus important for doctors as well as patients to not believe such claims made in advertisements and social media posts. It will go a long way in protecting them from any medico-legal fallout arising out of the same!