’Slash drug prices, stop multitiol aggression’ – CRU

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, January 20: Central Representative Union (CRU), north–east region at the call of Federation of Medical and Sales Representative Association of India (FMRAI), observed protest day on Monday against the drug and medicine policy of the Centre and called for measures to stop the aggression of the multitiol companies in the vital health sector. The prices of medicines have gone beyond the purchasing power of the common people and the medical treatment expanses likewise have become more irritant. The health care facilities and protection are at a disarray.

CRU noted with concern that the entire health sector for masses is in a state of negligence. There is nothing like health policy of the Centre or the States. The Union Government and the multitiol companies are playing with the health and hygiene of people. The drug policy of our country is virtually controlled by these overseas companies.

The drug industry of our country is facing serious challenges from them. The main objective of these companies is to do business and earn profits even at the cost of hiking the prices of essential and life–saving drugs. And it is with this target that they have adopted the most arbitrary approach which in fact is an assault on the sovereignty of our country. The common people have to bear the brunt of it.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, CRU put forward 8 point charter of demands which included regulating the prices of medicines on the basis of its production cost and to make them affordable for the masses. The other demands are not to impose any tax or excise duty on essential medicines, effective measures to make the country self–sufficient in the field of medicines, revival of all the state units of vaccines and enhance the budget for it.

Among others, it has also been pressed for cent percent investment in the production of medicines and put a check on the ingress of the foreign investments. Priority has to be given on the protection of health and hygiene and enforce strict legal steps in respect of clinical trials. Along with that CRU has also laid emphasis on the protection of the patent right of the country on medicines. Above all, the Union has also called for boycott of the American drug policy.

In order to make their protest day an important event and to awaken the common people about the drug policy of the Centre, medical and sales representatives in impressive number joined it and raised their voice in unison for immediate and effective drug policy to protect the interest of the masses and above all the country. CRU at the same time blamed both the previous UPA and the present Modi Government for following identical suicidal drug policy by surrendering before American and corporate world. The protest rally was also participated by different working class and democratic organizations as well as students, youths and citizens.