This story is from February 18, 2020

Bitter pill for Kerala doctor who prescribed ‘sweets for diabetics’

The Travancore Cochin Medical Council (TCMC) has decided to remove the name of an MBBS doctor who prescribed “sweets for diabetic patients” from its register for three months.
Bitter pill for Kerala doctor who prescribed ‘sweets for diabetics’
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KOCHI: The Travancore Cochin Medical Council (TCMC) has decided to remove the name of an MBBS doctor who prescribed “sweets for diabetic patients” from its register for three months.
During the period of removal from the register he is not be eligible to practise medicine, consult patients, prescribe medicines or any other activities done by a doctor.
TCMC members discussed the issue and after referring to the detailed investigation conducted on the issue concluded that the doctor had indulged in professional misconduct.
An order to this effect was issued on February 17.
“The council in its meeting held on Jan 10, 2020 endorses the views of the ethics committee that Dr M V Prasad is guilty of misconduct and for the proved charges of unethical advertisement and also unethical, unscientific practice without scientific evidence for this method of treatment,” the order signed by TCMC registrar states.
The order further states that Dr Prasad has been giving “unethical” advertisement —“Eat Sugar Avoid Medicine”— to diabetic patients despite being strictly warned by TCMC in the past. Dr Prasad had contended before the council that he had not violated any provisions in the code of ethics and the advertisement was made without his knowledge and he had asked people to stop such advertisements.
Since the ethics committee didn’t find the explanation satisfactory, they recommended the council to take disciplinary action for removal of Dr Prasad’s name from the register for three months. Accordingly, a notice was issued to him.
While diabetologists warn against sugar consumption and lifestyle changes by diabetes patients, Dr Prasad who practises in Wayanad, has claimed that intake of normal food without any restriction and moderate servings of sweets and exercise to burn out extra calories is all that is needed to control diabetes.
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About the Author
Preetu Nair

Preetu Nair, Deputy metro editor at The Times of India, Kochi, writes on crime and health, and issues related to women and children. She is interested in music, travelling and reading law books. In her free time, she likes to go trekking or play badminton.

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