Pharma Bureau urges govt to establish ‘clear’ SOPs for MRs’ visits to public-sector hospitals

LAHORE: Pharma Bureau, the representative body of multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in Pakistan has urged the Punjab government to establish clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing visits by medical representatives (MRs) to public hospitals.

“We are concerned about the provincial government’s blanket ban on MR visits, which departs from international best practice,” said a Pharma Bureau spokesperson, Executive Director, Ayesha T. Haq.

“Appropriate, transparent SOPs would enable MRs to continue providing doctors with essential, evidence-based information about medicines and adverse effects, information that benefits patient care,” she said.

The call follows a letter from the Pharma Bureau to Punjab’s Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Khawaja Salman Rafique, submitted after three medical sales representatives were recently detained during a hospital visit.

Pharma Bureau recommends the Punjab government to develop clear SOPs for MR access and interactions in public hospitals in consultation with the health department, hospital administrators, medical associations and pharmaceutical companies. It also suggests defining allowable locations, visiting hours, documentation and verification procedures and rules for educational materials and samples.

“Pharmaceutical firms supply medicines to government hospitals and provide employment for hundreds of MRs,” Haq said, adding, “A blanket ban risks job losses and reduced tax revenue and may hinder timely scientific communication that supports safe prescribing.”

It may be noted that the Punjab Health Department has ordered medical superintendents to bar MRs from public hospitals and take legal or disciplinary action for violations, saying the move aims to prevent undue influence on prescribing and protect patients from commercial conflicts.

Pharma Bureau believes SOPs designed to prevent undue influence while permitting regulated scientific interactions would better balance patient protection with timely information flow. The Bureau urges the provincial government to involve industry stakeholders in drafting practical, enforceable guidelines and offered to engage collaboratively on model SOPs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026