CRU decries ban on MRs in health centres
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 06 2025: Central Registration Unit (CRU) secretary Thokchom Langamba has stated that the ban imposed on entry of medical representatives (MRs) to healthcare institutions amount to violating the rights of thousands of MRs working in the state.

He made the statement during a one-day discussion held on 'Medical Representatives and its Impact' organised by CRU and Medical and Sales Representatives' Association of Manipur (MSRAM) at GM Hall, here, on Thursday.

According to Langamba, as per the Sales Promotion 1976 Indian Parliament Act, MRs have the right to visit doctors, pharmacies and hospitals to promote brand of the company or medicine they are representing.

He said that apart from MRs, all those in this field have sustained losses of over 30 per cent in the business market due to the prevailing unrest situation.

On top of this, they are under pressure from the company and facing hurdles due to suspension of a previous order, as part of orders to sell only generic medicines.

The order was re-imposed in RIMS Hospital where MRs are barred from accessing the OPD block, with warnings of detention and penalty.

This is basically robbing the MRs of their entitled rights, he said, and informed that an ultimatum would be served to RIMS authority to withdraw the order at the soonest possible.

The secretary also cautioned that intense agitations would be launched along with the state's MRs, CRU, MSRAM, Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Association, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists and Centre of Indian Trade Union, if there is no positive response from the hospital authority.

The discussion was also attended by CRU former president Ningombam Dilipkumar, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists joint secretary Kangjam Sagar Meitei, MSDA secretary Thokchom Dwijamani, MCDA president RK Rakesh, Centre of Indian Trade Union secretary Kshetrimayum Shanta and CRU former secretary Oinam Prabina as presidium members.

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