The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said that the Delhi Government's advisory to cap medical bills lacks proper research and need amendments. IMA president Dr Ravi Wankhedkar termed it a “populist” move that will adversely affect the “patient safety” and quality of healthcare.
“Indian Medical Association firmly believes that this advisory is harsh and lacks proper research and understanding. Instead of strengthening and improving the public health system in Delhi, the Government is trying to gag the private healthcare by issuing such advisory without bothering about sustainability,” said Wankhedkar.
“Decisions will be vague and incorrect conclusions will be derived in case only specific aspects of the healthcare costing is concerned and without considering the total cost in healthcare delivery is a grave mistake” said the IMA president.
IMA, however, appreciated the Government's advisory on National list of Essential Medicines (NlEM) and non-NlEM drugs.
“Though the advisory on NlEM and non-NlEM drugs is a good move, the Government at the same time should bring all the costly drugs and disposables in the NlEM category,” said Dr Vinay Aggarwal of IMA. “Availability of these drugs should be increased at pharmacies, nursing homes and hospitals for both indoor and outdoor patients. Universal regulations in the procurement prices of these drugs even for the non-NlEM category will be appreciable. Emphasising on effective implementation of the policy of one company, one salt, one drug and one price will solve the purpose,” he said.
IMA said that it is in agreement for not compelling patients for buying drugs from in-house pharmacy with exception in emergency and critical cases.
“We also have strong reservation for capping pricing of investigations to affect the basic quality of service depending upon the choice of equipment, investigations, material and the expertise of the clinician/ pathologists/ radiologist who are interpreting the findings and preparing the results. We also feel that this kind of notification is infringing upon doctor patient relationship and bring more mistrust,” said IMA.
IMA is of view that capping may result in hospitals discouraging families to admit critical care patients (with high chance of mortality) or treating them extremely conservatively post admission since they are not likely to even recover the actual cost of treatment.