# Health Reform Commission Proposes Ban on Pharma Promotional Gifts to Doctors

> The Health Sector Reform Commission proposed banning direct pharmaceutical promotions to doctors, including gifts and samples, allowing only mail or email communication. It recommended VAT exemptions on key drugs, free…

Published: 2026-09-17 · Desk: Latest · Source: The Business Standard

The Health Sector Reform Commission has recommended banning pharmaceutical representatives from directly promoting products to doctors. Instead, companies may only send product details via email or postal mail. The commission also advised banning gifts or free samples to influence prescriptions.

Other key proposals include VAT exemption on cancer and diabetes medicines, free healthcare for 20% of the ultra-poor, and partial support for the poor in private hospitals. Essential medicines should be free at the primary level and subsidised elsewhere, with the list updated every two years.

The commission suggests allocating 5% of GDP and 15% of the national budget to health, and gradually shifting all prescriptions to generic names. It also called for modernising EDCL, legislating free primary healthcare, and forming an independent health cadre.

The final recommendations were submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today.

Original reporting: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/health/doctors-must-not-be-approached-directly-product-promotion-health-reform-commission
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