Karnataka to mandate Govt doctors to prescribe In-house medicines

Kalaburagi: Government doctors working in hospitals attached to medical colleges across Karnataka will soon be required to prescribe only those medicines available in the hospital pharmacy. The state’s Medical Education Department is set to issue an official order enforcing this directive.

The move comes after the government observed that many poor patients visiting government hospitals were being advised to buy medicines from outside pharmacies, which they often couldn’t afford. This reportedly defeated the purpose of free treatment in government hospitals.  

Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil shared the update while speaking to the media. He stated that the aim is to ensure patients, especially from economically weaker sections, receive treatment without having to spend money on medicines or private consultations.

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To further support this initiative, the government has also decided not to allow the opening of private medical shops or Jan Aushadhi Kendras within hospital premises to prevent the patients from paying an amount for the medicines, as the doctors would give prescriptions and ask them to purchase medicines from the medical shops or Jan Aushadhi Kendras.