Dhaka: The Health Sector Reform Commission (HSRC) has put forward a recommendation to bar medical representatives (MR) from pharmaceutical companies from meeting doctors directly in hospitals. This move is aimed at reducing distractions for doctors, thereby allowing them to focus on providing treatment to patients.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the HSRC’s recommendation suggests that pharmaceutical companies should communicate with doctors only through email or postal services to share product information. This proposal is part of a broader report on health sector reforms, which was submitted to the Chief Adviser, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, by HSRC chief Professor AK Azad Khan and other commission members.
The report, which contains 32 short- and medium-term recommendations, highlights this issue in section 21. The recommendation is intended to prevent disruptions in medical services, as interactions between doctors and pharmaceutical representatives have been shown to divert doctors’ attention and compromise patient care.
The proposal also prohibits attempts to influence doctors through gifts or sample medications. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies are required to receive accreditation from the Bangladesh Medical Accreditation Council (BMAC) before organizing medical conferences. Full financial disclosures of such events must be submitted to both the tax office and the BMAC.
While companies may financially support accredited conferences, their representatives are allowed only in designated exhibition areas, where offering food, gift bags, or sponsoring entertainment events such as cultural shows or raffle draws is strictly forbidden. Additionally, all pharmaceutical promotion activities, including face-to-face product promotion or marketing within hospital premises or doctors’ chambers, are banned. Doctors’ representatives are also barred from becoming members of any pharmaceutical organization, as per BMRC recommendations.
Scientific updates or orientation of new products must be presented through centralized, neutral scientific meetings rather than company-specific platforms. The commission’s report emphasizes the need to establish an ethical and balanced relationship between physicians and pharmaceutical companies, aligning with guidelines from the World Medical Association.
The report further recommends the formation of a Food, Drug, and IVD-Medical device administration, led by a Director General, to oversee the sectors of drugs-vaccines-cosmetics, IVD-medical devices, and food safety.