Flooded by the complaints that doctors at Central Government-run hospitals and CGHS wellness centres are not prescribing generic medicines as per norms, the Centre has issued warning to such defaulters saying that failing to comply with norms will invite strict action.
According to an office order, the doctors at central government hospitals, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) wellness centres and polyclinics have been instructed time and again to only prescribe generic medicines.
“Despite this, it has been observed that doctors (including residents) in some instances continue to prescribe branded medicines.
This has been viewed strictly by the competent authority,” Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel said in an office order issued on May 12.
This may be noted by all heads of institutions, and they may ensure strict compliance by the doctors working under them, the order said. It has threatened to take action in cases of non-compliance, the order further stated.
Further, the order asked them to ensure that visits of medical representatives to hospital premises are completely curtailed. Any information about a new launch may be communicated by way of e-mail only.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), a national level association for the welfare of resident doctors across India, had recently alleged that many Pharmacy and Janaushadhi/ Amrit Kendras set up in the premises of the Government hospitals were selling medicines not only at hefty costs but some of them were reporting shortage of generic medicines. As a result, the patients end up shelling out more on purchasing the drugs from private sector run chemists’ shops,said Dr Aviral Mathur from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi and President FORDA India.