Micro Labs, makers of Dolo 650, has said that these are baseless allegation over Rs. 1000 crore freebies to doctors. FMRAI - a body of medical representatives alleged that the pharma company that makes Dolo spent Rs 1,000 crores in the form of freebies to doctors as incentives for them to prescribe the drug, and the matter subsequently came under the scanner of the Supreme Court.
As per CNBC TV18, a spokesperson report of the Dolo makers on Monday said that the data generated is over many years across their 14 divisions and 6,000 strong field force. The only freebies the firm gave out were the ones allowed such as books, pens and small mementos, the company said, adding that it currently cooperating with all investigations.
It is impossible for any company to spend Rs 1000 cr on the marketing of a brand which did 350 crore business in COVID year. That too when Dolo 650 comes under NLEM, said Jayaraj Govindraju, Executive VP, marketing and communication, Micro Labs.
The PIL was filed by the body of medical representatives (sales force of pharma companies) Federation of Medical & Sales Representatives Association of India(FMRAI) claimed that the Dolo maker offered freebies to doctors. In fact, Justice DY Chandrachud, heading the bench, termed it a serious issue and said (as quoted by Bar & Bench), “This is not music to my ears. I was also asked to have the same when I had COVID. This is a serious issue and matter."
Last month, the Income Tax department had conducted searches at Bangalore based premises of the company over alleged tax evasion.
