Dimapur, January 6 (MExN): Raising concerns over unethical trade practices of multi-national pharmaceutical companies in India, members of Centre of Medical & Sales Representatives’ Union (CRU), north east region, said today that peoples’ lives are now at the mercy of these companies. Addressing a press conference in Dimapur, prior to its General Council Meeting on January 7 and 8, CRU executive member Dipyendu Das said that the MNCs are carrying out some of the biggest medical crimes; denying people life saving drugs, monopolizing the drug market and influencing healthcare experts.
Das, here with a team of medical representatives from seven north east states, pointed out that CRU along with its parent body, has been fighting to stop MNCs from monopolizing the healthcare system in India. He came down heavily on the healthcare policies in India, which according to him are pro-MNC. He pointed out that companies are not only selling medicines at exorbitant prices, but also denying people life saving drugs because the manufacturers are not ‘getting any profit.’ He said the new economic liberalization policy of India has hampered the healthcare system in India, making access to medicines for common people very difficult. He added that, owing to such conditions, many spurious medicines have entered the markets which are hazardous to peoples’ health. He also asserted that CRU vehemently opposes the MNCs alluring healthcare experts with cash and kind, in order to get their medicines prescribed.
The CRU executive meeting, which will be opened by state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, will focus on such health related issues, Das informed. The main Speaker will speak on ‘accessible medicines for all.’ CRU will also take put a rally to protest the taxation policy of the government, price rise of medicines, patent right issues, etc.
Meanwhile, Secretariat Member Shomal Dey appealed to the government of Nagaland, to fix minimum wages and working hours for medical representatives working in the state. He further requested the government to recognize the identity cards issued by CRU under the Salespersons Employment Act.
Das, here with a team of medical representatives from seven north east states, pointed out that CRU along with its parent body, has been fighting to stop MNCs from monopolizing the healthcare system in India. He came down heavily on the healthcare policies in India, which according to him are pro-MNC. He pointed out that companies are not only selling medicines at exorbitant prices, but also denying people life saving drugs because the manufacturers are not ‘getting any profit.’ He said the new economic liberalization policy of India has hampered the healthcare system in India, making access to medicines for common people very difficult. He added that, owing to such conditions, many spurious medicines have entered the markets which are hazardous to peoples’ health. He also asserted that CRU vehemently opposes the MNCs alluring healthcare experts with cash and kind, in order to get their medicines prescribed.
The CRU executive meeting, which will be opened by state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, will focus on such health related issues, Das informed. The main Speaker will speak on ‘accessible medicines for all.’ CRU will also take put a rally to protest the taxation policy of the government, price rise of medicines, patent right issues, etc.
Meanwhile, Secretariat Member Shomal Dey appealed to the government of Nagaland, to fix minimum wages and working hours for medical representatives working in the state. He further requested the government to recognize the identity cards issued by CRU under the Salespersons Employment Act.
