According to reports, Medical Council of India (MCI) has decided to punish top officials of Indian Medical Association (IMA) for supporting products for private companies.

The MCI has also decided to cut the names of IMA's national president Goparaju Samaram and Secretary Dharam Prakash from Indian medical register for a period of six months.

The above decision has been taken during a meeting of the MCI committee members on November 9, 2010.

As per decision, the two top members of IMA will not be able to practice for six months.

The decision was taken after a complaint was registered against IMA.

The reports revealed that IMA has endorsed six products including Dettol and Aquaguard.

MCI has also forwarded a censure letter to IMA's all executive committee members admonishing them not to repeat such practices in the coming time.

It has been found that around 50% of IMA's funds come from endorsements, but MCI refused to comment on any statement.

IMA vice-president Vijay Shankar Singh said, "As far as I know, no new products have been endorsed and the one at present are part of old agreements, most of which will expire in a year or so."