Pharma body opposes entry curbs on medical representatives, seeks rethink
New Delhi: The
Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance
(IPA), IPA, a lobby group which represents large domestic pharmaceutical companies, has raised concerns over the government's recent mandate that restricts the entry of
medical representatives
(MRs) into hospitals run by the Central government.
The IPA has argued against the new order saying it disrupts the essential interface between pharma companies and healthcare providers and has far-reaching implications for public health, innovation,
healthcare delivery
, and patient care.
It has urged the health ministry to have a balanced, structured, and transparent engagement model, allocating days and time for interaction.
In a representation to the health ministry and department of pharmaceutical (DoP), IPA has said the diktat will impact of growth of pharmaceutical sector and result in job losses of medical representatives.
"The pharmaceutical sector is knowledge driven with significant rapid advancements. Industry interactions with doctors are fundamental for knowledge development and facilitating better patient care. MRs play pivotal role for knowledge dissemination.
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"Guidelines have been laid between medical practitioner and industry interactions in Uniform Code of Marketing Practices and these interactions can be structured in hospital settings by allocating days and time for interactions," said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general, IPA.
As ET reported last week, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has instructed all central government hospitals not to permit medical representatives in the hospital premises.
Raising concerns, the IPA said that their engagement with doctors ensures timely dissemination of product-related information, covering latest advancements and access of medicines to patients. It also helps during Introduction of new therapies like complex generics and novel biologics. They also play a pivotal role in sharing clinical trial data and global research developments, supporting evidence-based practice.
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Pharma body seeks rethink on entry curbs of MRs in govt hospitals
The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), which represents leading drug firms in the country that together account for 65 per cent of the domestic market, has written to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), urging it to reconsider the restriction on the entry of medical representatives (MRs) in Central government hospitals, citing 'far-reaching' implications for public health, innovation, and healthcare delivery. The IPA also said that the move may lead to job losses in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly affecting MRs. In its letter dated June 6, the IPA said that while it understands and respects the intent to maintain discipline and patient safety in public hospitals, it requests the adoption of a 'balanced, structured and transparent engagement model' that allocates specific days and times for interaction. The association stated that a 'blanket ban' would hinder the growth of the pharmaceutical sector in India and lead to job losses, especially among MRs. In an order dated May 28, the DGHS had prohibited MRs from meeting doctors at government hospitals. The directive, addressed to Central government hospitals, instructed them to strictly stop the entry of MRs onto their premises. The order suggested that MRs could instead share updates on new treatments, investigations or medical procedures via email or other online platforms. The DGHS cited concerns over potential disruptions to hospital workflows and patient consultations caused by MRs. The ban also aims to minimise the risk of doctors being influenced by gifts, samples, or promotional materials from pharmaceutical representatives. The IPA said that India has adopted a self-regulatory framework under the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), and its 23 member companies adhere to it strictly to ensure ethical and compliant conduct. It further noted that MRs play an important role in the healthcare ecosystem—they disseminate product-related information, highlight the latest medical advances, share clinical trial data, introduce digital health tools and specialised dosage delivery systems, and act as a 'robust feedback loop' that enables companies to gather real-world data on efficacy, safety, and patient outcomes. Therefore, the IPA believes that a ban may lead to gaps in information dissemination, delays in patient access to life-saving and cost-effective treatments, and reduced physician awareness, particularly in government settings that cater to vulnerable populations. A senior pharmaceutical executive said that doctors in government hospitals mostly prescribe generic or molecule names, and most patients obtain medicines for free from government dispensaries. 'Most of the business with government hospitals is tender business. Also, companies do not promote a lot of branded generics in such settings, as patients often get free medicines or doctors prescribe generic names,' he said, adding that the move may affect doctor–company engagement.
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2 days ago
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Pharma body opposes entry curbs on medical representatives, seeks rethink
New Delhi: The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), IPA, a lobby group which represents large domestic pharmaceutical companies, has raised concerns over the government's recent mandate that restricts the entry of medical representatives (MRs) into hospitals run by the Central government. The IPA has argued against the new order saying it disrupts the essential interface between pharma companies and healthcare providers and has far-reaching implications for public health, innovation, healthcare delivery , and patient care. It has urged the health ministry to have a balanced, structured, and transparent engagement model, allocating days and time for interaction. In a representation to the health ministry and department of pharmaceutical (DoP), IPA has said the diktat will impact of growth of pharmaceutical sector and result in job losses of medical representatives. "The pharmaceutical sector is knowledge driven with significant rapid advancements. Industry interactions with doctors are fundamental for knowledge development and facilitating better patient care. MRs play pivotal role for knowledge dissemination. Live Events "Guidelines have been laid between medical practitioner and industry interactions in Uniform Code of Marketing Practices and these interactions can be structured in hospital settings by allocating days and time for interactions," said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general, IPA. As ET reported last week, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has instructed all central government hospitals not to permit medical representatives in the hospital premises. Raising concerns, the IPA said that their engagement with doctors ensures timely dissemination of product-related information, covering latest advancements and access of medicines to patients. It also helps during Introduction of new therapies like complex generics and novel biologics. They also play a pivotal role in sharing clinical trial data and global research developments, supporting evidence-based practice. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
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