Chief of the Health Sector Reforms Commission and National Professor Dr AK Azad Khan today said doctors taking commissions from pharmaceutical companies is not only unethical but also illegal.

He said this at a views-exchange meeting at the Chittagong Medical College auditorium this morning. It was the first meeting of the commission with stakeholders in Chattogram.

Representatives from doctors, nurses, medical institutions and private hospitals were present. However, there were no representatives from patients and civil society.

Replying to a query, Dr AK Azad Khan said the commission-taking issue will be highlighted in their report.

Among medical professionals, Prof Dr Abul Fayez said the quality of health services and health education have to improve.

Prof Dr Imran Bin Yunus said medical professionals and their institutions "must be given liberty".

Prof Dr SM Tarek said the standard of some medical colleges is not up to the mark and private medical colleges should be brought under a semi-government system to ensure that.