Health reform commission proposes ban on pharma promotional gifts for doctors
To strengthen public health, the commission recommended that 5% of the country’s GDP and 15% of the national budget be allocated to the health sector
Highlights
- No direct drug promotion to doctors
- Free care for 20% ultra-poor
- 25% of prescriptions must use generic names
- Free primary healthcare should be made law
- VAT and tax exemptions on cancer and diabetes medicines
- Essential drug list must be updated every two years
- EDCL should be modernised for better drug production
- Strategic procurement from private firms to ensure drug quality
Pharmaceutical company representatives should no longer be allowed to directly approach doctors to promote their products, according to a recommendation made by the Health Sector Reform Commission.
During a press conference at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka today (5 May), the commission stated that drug manufacturers can only send product-related information to doctors via email or postal mail.
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Dr Syed Akram Hossain, a member of the commission, said, "The commission recommends that any attempt to influence doctors through free samples or gifts be completely prohibited."
The commission also proposed exempting VAT and other taxes on medicines used for cancer and diabetes treatment. It further recommended increasing the number of essential medicines and updating the list every two years.
It suggested that 20% of the ultra-poor population should receive all types of healthcare services free of charge, while 10% of poor patients should be entitled to free care at private hospitals.
Reform commission recommends forming permanent 'Bangladesh Health Commission'
Additionally, it stressed the need to ensure that essential medicines are provided free of cost at the primary level and subsidised in other cases. The list of these medicines should also be revised every two years.
To strengthen public health, the commission recommended that 5% of the country's GDP and 15% of the national budget be allocated to the health sector.
It also proposed that, initially, 25% of all prescriptions for essential drugs be written using generic names, with a target to increase this to 100% within five years.
The commission called for the modernisation of state-run pharmaceutical producer Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) and strengthening strategic procurement from the private sector to ensure the availability of quality medicines.
Other key recommendations include legislating free access to primary healthcare for all citizens and the establishment of an independent health cadre to improve service delivery and administrative efficiency in the sector.
The Health Sector Reform Commission submitted its final recommendations to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus this morning at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Additional suggestions include increasing the recruitment of medical personnel in government hospitals, expanding the list of essential medicines, and constructing new hospitals to reduce the growing trend of patients seeking treatment abroad.
The government formed the 12-member commission in November 2024.
The members of the commission are Prof AK Azad Khan (chief), president of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh; Prof Md Muhammad Zakir Hossain of Public Health and Health Informatics Department at BSMMU; Prof Dr Liaquat Ali, chairman of Pothikrit Foundation; Prof Dr Sayera Akther, a gynecologist; Prof Dr Naila Zaman Khan, a neurologist, the Department of Pediatric Neuroscience; MM Reza, former secretary; Prof Dr Muzaherul Huq, former regional adviser (South-East Asia Region) at the WHO; Dr Azharul Islam, ICDDR,B; Prof Dr Syed Md Akram Hossain, Square Cancer Centre, Square Hospital; Prof Dr Syed Atiqul Haque, chief consultant of Green Life Centre for Rheumatic Care and Research; Dr Ahmed Ahsanur Rahman, scientist at ICDDR,B; and Omair Afif, a student of Dhaka Medical College.
