SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Jan 19: Over 5000 medical and sales representatives of the state today have sat on a day-long dharna across the state in support of their demands including immediate moratorium on electronic surveillance on their activities by pharmaceutical companies.
Jharkhand Medical and Sales Representatives Union agitating representatives sat on dharna in all 24 districts’ headquarters, especially in Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur at 12 noon.
A Haldhar, joint general secretary of Jharkhand Medical and Sales Representatives, said the one-day strike was called in response to a national federation’s call for the withdrawal of amendments to labour laws, the deletion of all four codes, and the continuation of the Sales Promotion Employees Act 1976.
Agitating doctors and sales professionals have also urged that the ‘online sale’ of drugs be checked right away.
GST on medications and medical equipment, according to the Joint General Secretary, would impose a significant cost on patients and the general public.
“Our main demands are zero GST on medicines and essential medical equipment so that the public could get medical equipment at low costs,” said Haldhar.
He further said that electronic surveillance and tracking of sales representatives by pharmaceutical companies have emerged as a major issue as it directly hits the privacy of medical sales representatives.
“So, we demand immediate check on this practice of pharmaceutical companies for maintaining the privacy of individuals,” he said.
Dhanbad district union president Sandip Iach said that if the central government does not act on demands, the medical sales representative would be compelled to launch massive agitation.
Meanwhile, CPI (M) has supported demands of medical and sales representatives and announced to extend moral support in the day-long strike.
