Thu, May 7, 2015 at 10:06 AM
Ethical practices by firms to guarantee cost
cutting in prices
Ludhiana: 7 May 2015: (Punjab Screen Bureau):
Ethical practices by the Pharmaceutical
industry can lead to substantial reduction in prices of
drugs. The uniform code of pharmaceutical medical practices (UCPMP) of the
Ministry of Chemicals and Petrochemicals prohibits the Pharma industry as per
clause no. 6 and 7 of the code not to give free bees to the medical
professionals in the form of travel grants or gifts. In fact each company
spends substantial amount on these things. Dr G S Grewal President PMC informed that the MCI is already seized with this matter and has
initiated action to stop the medical professionals from receiving such benefits
from the Pharma companies as these add to the cost of medicines. But it is the
duty primarily of the Pharma companies to ensure cost cutting of the drug
prices. In fact nearly 67% of the out of pocket expenditure on health by goes
on bearing the cost of medicines. Because of out of pocket expenditure on
health nearly 4 crore people of our country are pushed below poverty line. There
is thus urgent need to act on this matter. DrArunMitra Chairman Ethical
Committee - A of the Punjab Medical Council informed that the PMC has written
to the Secretary of the Ministry of Chemicals and Petrochemicals to seek
guidance in this regard as the companies do not fall directly under the purview
of the medical council. But if the companies are made to stop free bees then
they have to be made to ensure the prices of medicines also are slashed
accordingly so that the benefit goes to the patients.
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