Date:09/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/09/stories/2005050905680500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Medical representatives draw up stir plan

Staff Reporter

KURNOOL: The Andhra Pradesh Medical and Sales Representatives' Union has drawn up a plan to fight for easy availability of essential drugs in the market.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, the zonal secretary of the union, A.V. Srikant, and the State committee member, Arif, said the union waged a struggle in the last two years against the sale of spurious drugs and black marketing.

They said the Patent Bill was likely to bring about a drastic change in the market especially about the price situation. While opposing the provisions of the Patent Bill that would spiral the prices, the union planned to bring pressure on those concerned to make essential drugs available to common man at affordable prices. The State-level meet of the union would be held on May 20 to 22 at Kakinada.which would discuss the issues confronting sales representatives and consumers.

The branch president, B.P. Swami, the secretary, Koteswara Rao, and others were present.