Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) demanded of the government to slash 60 percent budget of pharmaceutical companies, being spent on advertisement and marketing. The association also urged the government to pay special attention to maternal mortality, as Pakistan was among 10 leading countries where maternal mortality rates alarmingly higher. Pakistan Medical Association President Dr Umar Ayub Khan said this while speaking at a press conference here on Thursday at Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club camp office.
He said the pharmaceutical companies were spending handsome amount on their advertisement, and they also offer bribe to doctors for marketing their products.
Condemning such doctors who prescribe the medicines supplied by these companies for their 'vested interests', Umar Ayub said the PMA would soon meet with health minister and urge him to take stern action against such elements.
Speaking about maternal mortality rate in the country, he said that the government must ensure the eradication of needless and avoidable deaths during childbirth and pregnancy related issues.
Giving recommendations of the workshop on "Poverty, Reproductive Health and millennium development goals (MDGs)", PMA President informed newsmen the government should strengthen health system, with adequate funding and full participation of the public, private and CSO sector.
He appealed to the government to include chapter of sexual and reproductive health awareness in the curriculum. PMA also demanded of the government to fulfil its commitment for achieving MDGs, especially in the health sector.