Rampant influence of pharmaceutical companies in hospitals

The unchecked presence and dominance of Pharmaceutical Company Representatives, often referred to as Medical Promotion Officers (MPOs), at Mugda Medical College Hospital in the capital have reached alarming levels. Disregarding government regulations, they operate freely inside the hospital, often jostling over prescriptions, leaving ordinary patients facing constant harassment. Taking advantage of lax oversight by the authorities, representatives effectively take over the hospital premises from early morning each day.

A visit to the outpatient department revealed that 15 to 20 representatives crowd in front of each doctor’s chamber. According to Directorate General of Health Services guidelines, representatives are permitted to meet doctors only two days a week (Sunday and Wednesday) after 2:00pm. However, at Mugda Hospital, their activities begin as early as 8:00am every day. Many even enter doctors’ rooms while consultations are ongoing, forcing patients to wait longer.

Harassment Over Prescriptions

The most disturbing scenes occur after patients leave the doctor’s chamber. Outside the rooms or at the hospital gates, groups of five to six representatives lie in wait and then swarm patients. They often snatch prescriptions from patients’ hands to photograph them on their mobile phones, causing significant embarrassment and distress, particularly for women and elderly patients.

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Rahima Begum, a victim from North Mugda, expressed her frustration: “After seeing the doctor while already unwell, it is extremely irritating when four or five people try to snatch the paper from my hand. What right do they have to see what medicines the doctor has prescribed?”

Rules Exist Only on Paper

Although regulations exist, they are rarely enforced in practice. In many cases, representatives harass patients openly in front of security personnel, yet no action is taken. Allegations suggest that their confidence is bolstered by connections with some dishonest staff and even certain doctors.

When contacted, Deputy Director of Mugda Medical College Hospital, Dr Md Nurul Islam, said that specific days have been designated for representatives to visit. “However, they often enter posing as patients’ relatives or under various pretexts. We conduct drives from time to time, detain them, and release them after taking written undertakings,” he said.

He added that continuous monitoring is difficult due to staff shortages. “Patients also need to be aware. If anyone attempts to snatch a prescription, they should immediately inform the security personnel,” he advised.