ISLAMABAD: After receiving complaints that a number of pharmaceutical companies bribed doctors, with cash and foreign tours, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has decided to make a code of conduct for prescribing medicines manufactured by those companies.

The code of conduct will ensure consumer rights are protected and that they do not pay more for medicines, when they can buy the same medicines at a reduced price from a different manufacturer.

“Pharmaceutical companies pay doctors to prescribe their medicines, and this puts a financial burden on patients,” said Drap Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Aslam.

“These companies arrange local and foreign tours for doctors, and even give them expensive gifts including cars. [Pharmaceutical] companies also pay for the weddings of doctors’ children and renovate their homes and offices,” he added.

In exchange, doctors are expected to prescribe unnecessary medicines including vitamins, food supplements and antibiotics, due to which people face financial burdens and health hazards, Dr Aslam said. The Drap chief said that heavy fines were imposed on well known pharmaceutical companies recently in the US and UK for prescribing unnecessary medicines.

“We will consult with health experts, government officials, pharmaceutical company representatives and consumers when drafting the code of conduct, which will be strictly implemented,” he added.

Published in Dawn September 26th, 2016

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