GMC doctors not to meet medical representatives in OPD hours

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 4

The Government Medical College (GMC) has banned the entry of medical representatives (salesmen) of private pharmaceutical companies to the outpatient department (OPD) chambers of doctors during duty hours.

Medical representatives can be seen roaming in the hospital and meeting doctors during working hours every day. The salesmen of the private pharmaceutical companies cajole and also lure doctors into prescribing their brands.

A source in the hospital said pharmaceutical companies gave hefty commission and lavish gifts to government doctors. “The practice has increased to such an extent that private persons keep on sitting next to doctors as the latter examine patients,” he said.

It has also been seen that while patients in long queues are waiting outside, doctors carry on with their meet with medical representatives to know their brands. The medicines of private companies are not available at the government pharmacies at the hospital. These are available only at private medical stores outside the hospital.

The patients often complain of not getting medicines from government pharmacies and doctors prescribing medicines which are available only with a few chemists. The instances of private lab employees collecting samples from inside the wards have already been highlighted by the media. The patients hope that the new order would set the things in order.

College Principal Dr Tejbir Singh said, “We hope that the practice will come to an end with the new orders. The duty hours of the doctors are meant only for patients. Meeting with a private salesman during OPD hours is unethical. Action will be taken if such a practice is seen.”