E-DRUG: World Consumer Day 15th March - Unethical Drug Promotion (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear E-Druggers,
With references to Dr. Mira Shiva's letter I would like to share some developments in this issue.
Let me thank Dr. Mira Shiva for raising the issue of UNETHICAL PROMOTION on the World Consumer Day.
This issue does not get importance in consumer movement, but recently a few developments are very encouraging, which are-
1. Directorate of Consumer Affairs in West Bengal is now conducting workshops for two groups.
a.. For their officers
b.. NGOs
in both the cases they are giving opportunity to discuss drug related issues. We have utilized this forum to raise the issues like Unethical Promotion, Rational Use of Medicines etc., and the responses of the consumers are very encouraging.
2. West Bengal Govt. has issued an order to prescribe medicines in Generic names only, in Govt. Hospitals.
3. Rajasthan Govt. has issued a similar order in the last week.
4. Bihar Govt. has issued such an order in the last month.
Hope proper implementation of these orders will help in restricting unethical promotion of Medicines.
Another important development is that OPPI [? [please spell out unfamilirar acronyms. BS] has decided self imposition of restriction on Unethical Promotion.
It is a good sign that results of continuous movement of different groups against UNETHICAL PROMOTION is coming.
With best regards
Subhash C. Mandal
Regulatory Pharmacist
INDIA
e-mail:pharmid@vsnl.net