Left to watch drug access issues

Indians should be more aware of the probable consequences of recently passed Patent Act 2005, as its basic argument of promoting free competition could not be meaningfully implemented without the existence of a level playing field among pharmaceutical manufacturers, according to the West Bengal minister of health, Surjya Kanta Mishra.

Speaking at the national seminar on 'Pharmaceutical policy & access to medicines' jointly organised by Jan Swastha Abhiyan (JSA), Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives' Association of India (FMRAI), National Campaign Committee for Drug Policy (NCCDP) and All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), Mishra said, "Despite the opposition from the Left parties, the new product patent laws were passed. Though there has been some amendments, the battle has just begun."

The West Bengal state government would keep up pressure on the central government so that development of the industry did not hurt the interests of the common citizen.

Mishra highlighted the necessity of developing and marketing herbal drugs in the country in a scientific manner.

The country needed an integrated national drug policy, Amiya Bagchi, chairman of the organising committee, said.

Manoj Bhattacharya, member of Rajya Sabha , admitted that Parliamentarians often lacked full knowledge about this sector.

"Members of Parliament debate before passing any Bill and therefore have to be educated in full at the earliest through similar seminars," Bhattacharya said.

"There should be more awareness among medical professionals in addition to general citizen so as to stop the misuse and abuse of drugs in the country," he added.