Doctor visits by pharmaceutical company representatives are being stopped!

Pharmaceutical company sales representatives are losing the opportunity to communicate directly with doctors. From now on, they will no longer be able to visit hospitals or clinics to meet doctors and promote medicines. They will have to send information about medicines via e-mail. This proposal has been included in today's report of the commission formed to reform the health sector.

The Health Sector Reform Commission submitted its final report to the Chief Advisor at 11 am on Monday (May 5). The report highlights several groundbreaking proposals to make the country's healthcare sector more transparent, impartial and modern.

One of the most discussed proposals is to prevent the influence of pharmaceutical companies on doctors' professional decision-making. In this regard, the recommendation to stop sales representatives from visiting hospitals or clinics directly has gained special importance.

In addition, the commission has proposed the formulation of 7 new laws, including:

Bangladesh Health Commission Act

Bangladesh Health Service Act

Primary Health Service Act

Health Protection Act

Drug Pricing and Access Act

Allied Health Professionals Commissioner Act

Bangladesh Medical Research Commissioner Act

The commission was formed on November 17 last year, headed by Professor AK Azad Khan, President of Bangladesh Diabetic Association. The 12-member commission includes renowned physicians, administrators and researchers in the country's health sector.

The members of the commission are:
Professor Dr. Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Professor Dr. Liaquat Ali, Professor Dr. Saeba Akhter, Professor Dr. Naila Zaman Khan, former Secretary SM Reza, Professor Dr. Mozaherul Haque, Dr. Azharul Islam Khan, Professor Dr. Syed Md. Akram Hossain, Professor Dr. Syed Atiqul Haque, Dr. Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman and Umair Afif, a fifth-year student of Dhaka Medical College.

According to the commission, these recommendations have been made to ensure proper treatment of patients by reducing irregularities, conflicts of interest and commercial influence in the health sector.