Prescribe generic medicines or face action: CM Chhattisgarh slams Govt doctors

Raipur: Doctors in government hospitals in Chhattisgarh will face stringent action if they prescribe branded medicines instead of generic drugs to patients, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.  

Taking stock of the state government's 'Shri Dhanwantri Generic Medical Store' scheme while chairing a review meeting here on Monday, Baghel expressed resentment over branded medicines being prescribed in government hospitals, an official statement said. 

Clause 1.5 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drug.

Moreover, the state government, through its 'Shri Dhanwantri Generic Medical Store' scheme, provides free generic medicines in all the public health facilities

Through this policy, the  Government of Chhattisgarh has made considerable progress in increasing access to generic medicines for patients in public health facilities. Under the 'Shri Dhanwantri Generic Medical Store' scheme as many as 84 generic medicine shops were opened across the state on the inaugural day of the scheme in 2021. 

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It said the CM had received information that government doctors were prescribing branded medicines despite being repeatedly instructed against it.

The state government had launched 'Shri Dhanwantri Generic Medical Store' in October to provide generic medicines at affordable rates to help the poor segment of society, and under the scheme run by the urban administration and development department, 159 medical stores were opened providing discounts ranging from 50 percent to 71 percent on MRP. About 17 lakh 92 thousand citizens have been saved Rs.17 crore 38 lakh due to the medicines sold through these medical stores so far.

Soon after the instructions of the CM, the principal secretary of the health department issued a directive to district collectors and Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) to ensure strict compliance, the release said.

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