Follow prescription SLCPI warns drug companies

The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has warned its member companies that their representatives would have to strictly adhere to Health Ministry directives when dealing with public hospitals and other state health institutions, or face consequences.

At an emergency meeting yesterday, SLCPI president Adrian Basnayake warned all member companies that if anyone flouted the rules strict measures would be taken against them - even to the extent of withdrawing the health ministry identity cards that would be issued to their medical representatives.

The new regulations restrict medical representatives’ visits to state hospitals and medical institutions to three days of the week between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Mr.Basnayake also said medical representatives must not occupy doctors’ car parks or chairs reserved for patients in waiting areas.

He also said the third update of the code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices would come into effect from April adding that the SLCPI had presented a draft copy of a code of conduct for medical representatives to the Health Ministry last week.

Speaking on the issue of identity cards for medical representatives Mr. Basnayake said SLCPI-issued identity cards would be valid till end of March but thereafter it would be mandatory for medical representatives to show IDs issued by the Health Ministry when they entered public hospitals or any other state health institution.