PANJIM: With the Health Minister Viswajit Rane seeking a thorough probe in the clinical trials and research projects by Goa Medical College (GMC) faculty members, the Dean has issued an order asking for an explanation from four doctors.
The four doctors are former dean Dr Pradeep Naik, Dept of PSM lecturer Dr Amit Dias, Dept of Pulmonary Medicine lecturer Dr Lalita Fernandes, and former professor and HoD Pulmonary Medicine Dr Anthony Mesquita.
The order issued by Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar states, “As per the directions of higher authorities you are hereby directed to submit forthwith full financial details of research projects/clinical trials or any such projects/conferences/training (abroad/India) and all NGOs undertaken/attended/managed by you in any capacity till date, as disclosure of financial implications is mandatory.”
Further it says, “You are also directed to submit forthwith the names of each of funding agencies/companies (foreign/Indian) pharmaceuticals/ sponsors/ NGOs) for each of your research projects, clinical trials any projects and conferences/trainings (if any).
The order states that the funding details should contain a ‘copy of the application/letters disclosing the details of financial implications for your research/NGOs involvement and letter of official financial approval/permission from the government to apply for such research project, clinical trials. Projects and conferences/trainings and all NGOs managed by you in any capacity (if any).’
It also seeks the total funding amount for each research project, clinical trial, projects and name of sponsors for each conferences/training and NGOs the doctors have attended.
Besides the funding received by the principal investigator, CD-investigator, collaborator, research associate or in any other role and the mode of receipt of such payment for every research project, clinical trial, project, conference/training and NGO managed by them has been sought.
It also seeks copies of the audited statement of accounts of each research project, clinical trial, project and NGO managed by the doctors, and list of NGOs they are associated with in any capacity and copy of government permission for each NGO with full addresses and positions they held.
The order also seeks details of list of monetary transactions (foreign currency/Indian rupees) received by the doctors till date and details of their disclosures to the government.
The Dean has asked the doctors to reply by Thursday before 5pm by special messenger.
