Pharmaceutical Chamber drives hard message to members on ethics

Tuesday, 5 November 2013 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

At the annual CEO forum held by the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) for their member company CEOs, President of the Chamber Stuart Chapman said that all laid down ethics and guidelines by the Chamber had to be strictly adhered to by its members. He also mentioned that the company involved in the recent scandal on the cancer drug issue, which hit the media was not a member of the SLCPI. The SLCPI President also said that while the Chamber represented over 85% of the Pharmaceutical Industry, the large majority of quality failures were from companies that are not members of the Chamber.

Largest body representing pharmaceutical industry “The SLCPI is the largest body representing the pharmaceutical industry of Sri Lanka and is an important stakeholder in the country’s healthcare system. We are aware of the important role played by medical delegates to provide up to date information to healthcare professionals and the dignity of this important role needs to be safeguarded by ensuring strict discipline in the manner in which they conduct themselves at healthcare institutions and in the presence of healthcare professionals,” Stuart Chapman asserted. He said it was the responsibility of the CEOs to ensure this high level of discipline among their Medical Promotion Delegates. “If you don’t act now, you will risk not only your own organisation, but the industry,” reiterated the Chamber President. He said that the SLCPI supports proper implementation of the National Medicinal Drug Policy, adding that the bill should be adequately discussed with all stakeholders of the industry before being presented to Parliament. Key area of discussion The CEO forum was held at the Taj Samudra Colombo, graced by Director General of Health Services Palitha Maheepala, who attended as Chief Guest. Professionals of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries were present, interacting with each other on many issues with regard to the ethical behaviour and best practices which made up the key area of discussion. Matters pertaining to the conduct of medical delegates in hospitals were presented by Nawaloka Hopitals Director/General Manager Professor Lal Chandrasena. In his speech, Dr. Palitha Maheepala said that the pharmaceutical industry is an important part of the healthcare service that has a long history in the country. He also said that Sri Lanka has one of the oldest drug policies in South East Asia drafted by Professor Senaka Bibile. Speaking about another important policy for the health sector, the DG of health services also said, “We have had many attempts to come out with antibiotic policies for the country, we are on the road and probably we will be able to declare it in a few months’ time so we hope that the private hospitals will utilise this to the maximum.” Good governance and ethics WHO Consultant, Dr. Palitha Abeykone, who spoke on good governance and ethics, added that patients are the most important factor of healthcare service as they are the most vulnerable. “We have to make sure that the least powerful are taken care of, and that is why we need to pay attention to laws and ethics,” he said. “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. History shows where ethics and economics come into conflict; victory is always with ethics,” he added. Other speakers included Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe and IMS Health Ltd. Country Manager-Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Aminur Rahman.