The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a directive banning medical representatives from entering the premises of all centrally run government hospitals. The order states that any information needed by doctors can be shared over an email or other digital media.
The order, signed by Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services, clearly states: “Medical representatives should not be permitted in hospital premises. The head of institutions shall give necessary strict directions in the matter to all officialsā¦ Action taken report may be furnished to this directorate.ā
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Medical representatives, also known as MRs, are employees of pharmaceutical companies who promote medicines and medical products to doctors.
The new directive instructs hospital heads to enforce the ban strictly and submit compliance reports. It also clarifies that if doctors need updates on new treatments or medical technologies, they may request the information through email or other virtual channels.
This measure is intended to preserve the professional atmosphere in hospitals, protect doctors from potential outside pressure, and safeguard uninterrupted patient care.
The move aligns with the broader ethical framework under the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP). The revised code, introduced last year, allows pharmaceutical companies to offer research grants and support medical educationābut only under strict transparency norms
