Code of practice to end health kickbacks

October 20 1999

By Di Caelers

Kickbacks in the health system are set to get the boot with a new code of practice that will make it an offence for health care professionals to accept "incentives", or for anyone to offer them.

The proposed policy, which has now gone to trade unions, the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa and the relevant Parliamentary and provincial health portfolio committees for consideration and input, was released on Tuesday.

The policy is being finalised by the Forum of Statutory Health Councils, which comprises the Health Professions Council of SA, the SA Nursing Council, the Dental Technicians' Council of SA, the SA Council for Social Work, the SA Veterinary Council, and the Chiropractors, Homeopaths and Allied Health Service Professions Council of SA.

Incentives named unacceptable by proposed policy include:

Referring patients to an institution in which the health care professional has a financial interest; or if the referral would be considered "over-servicing"; and,

Accepting commission or any other financial gain or valuable gift in return for buying goods; or paying commission in return for a recommendation to patients.

Acknowledgement to