A Parliamentary panel has sought a stronger mechanism for ethical oversight of medical practice. This will address concerns of malpractices or medical negligence by doctors to restore the respect of the medical profession. In its report presented to Rajya Sabha, the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare noted with concern that the Medical Council of India, MCI's code of Ethics Regulations, 2002 is idealistic in nature and there is no mechanism in place to oversee its implementation. <br/><br/>The Committee recommended that the Code of Medical Ethics needs to be well defined to take care of the concerns of public safety and malpractices or medical negligence by doctors. It said the legislation governing the oversight of professional conduct of doctors should be made more specific with provision for transparency and timelines. <br/><br/>The panel highlighted the issue of inappropriate drug dispensing and unnecessary procedures and the commission-linked diagnostics by medical practitioners and health<br/>institutions in India. It recommended formulation of treatment guidelines for various health conditions for protection of patients' interests and rights.