Times of India | Apr 15, 2018, 05:50 IST.
KOLKATA: Medica Superspecialty Hospital deferred its decision to impose a charge on medical representatives (MR) to allow them to meet doctors. It has formed a seven-member internal committee to lay down the modalities for levying the charge and has barred MRs from entering the hospital premises till the rules are finalized. The West Bengal Medical and Sales Representatives’ Union (WBMSRU) — the body that represents MRs in the state — has refused to pay for doctor meetings.
“We have formed an internal committee that will soon meet to lay down the rules. Since MRs are using the hospital premises to market their products, they must pay. Till the modalities are fixed, we will not allow entry to MRs,” said Medica chairperson Alok Roy.
At a meeting with doctors this week, Roy had urged them to use only generic names for drugs prescribed. But doctors have refused to do that. A majority of doctors on payroll have also decided that they will continue to meet MRs outside the hospital premises. “We are not bonded labourers and the hospital can’t dictate professional terms. Interacting with MRs is an integral part of our job and often help us. Not all doctors, for instance, have the time to keep track of the latest medicines. Interacting with MRs helps them keep abreast of the new drugs on offer. Also, pharmaceutical companies have no other way of reaching out to doctors. They can’t be denied their legitimate right to market their products,” said a senior medical doctor. He added that pharmaceutical companies often organized medical seminars that serve as an important platform. “These are legitimate activities that will now be lost,” he added.