Patent Act!

Three days long national Working Committee meeting of FMRAI has began in the city form 9 June. The meeting criticised Indian Patents Act 2^nd Amendment Bill in view of the fact that this is a move to deceive people of the country. Though product patent has not been introduced for pharmaceuticals but changing of compulsory licensing together with exclusive marketing right already provided would not allow import or production of any new drugs. FMRAI members will observe nation wide campaign day on 19 July against the different ill effects of this multinationals influenced amendment.

The meeting also decided to meet the Govt authorities with evidences that many drugs are sold at much cheaper prices but this benefit are not reaching to the people since the industry is providing a huge trade margins to the drug sellers. FMRAI will also meet the Govt authorities to stop unethical sales promotion adopted by the industry instead of marketing of ideas and information.

The meeting also finalised programme against black-marketing of drugs leading to flooding of spurious drugs. Along with countrywide campaign by way of mass signature collection, demands of CBI enquiry shall be pursued. Signature collection would be completed by 30 Sept and then through a big rally these would be placed to the President of India. Many other organisations are already involved in this programme with FMRAI.

The meeting analysed the spectacular participation of mass of sales promotion employees in the month long strike and decide to launch movement on the four burning issues like unjust work pressure, sales pressure, re-categorisation of the so called officer designated employees and giving away of regular work under franchisee system. Agitation would be launched against some selected companies. Agitation will also be developed from inside by the employees against their own employers whoever have adopted such anti- workers policies.

In absence of laid down policies by the Govt. employers are introducing private working rules in violation to the Standing Order Act. The meeting decided to demand implementation of its own framed working rules and promotional policy.

The meeting noted with concern that pharmaceutical managements of Mumbai is making attempt to exclude the sales promotion employees out of the purview of MRTU & PULP Act. It was decided that the cases filed in Mumbai would be appropriately pursued and all preparation would be made to contest the cases if required up to the Supreme Court.

 

(D.P.Dubey)

General Secretary