New treatment: NMC regulations, albeit diluted, likely to be back soon

Agarwal adds that at a CME the speaking doctor is merely sharing his experience of using a particular molecule; never does he mention a particular brand

At a cardiologist clinic in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai, a narrow alley leading to the clinic is crowded with medical representatives (sales force) from various pharmaceutical companies. Some of them have been waiting since morning, enduring the occasional drizzle well past lunchtime.

"The doctor usually gives us time, often less than a minute, after he finishes checking his patients. He is a key opinion leader (KOL) in the area, and since there have been several launches of heart failure medications following patent expiry, we have come to meet him," says a medical representative from a Mumbai-based firm, speaking anonymously.