Punjab doctors told to prescribe only hospital pharmacy medicines

Amritsar: To make healthcare more affordable, the Punjab Health Department has directed all doctors at the Civil Hospital to prescribe only those medicines available in the hospital's pharmacy. They have been told not to ask patients to buy medicines from private pharmacies.

In addition, a warning has been issued to the doctors that if the health department receives any complaints in the future about patients being advised to purchase medicines from outside, strict departmental action will be taken against those responsible.

This directive follows the government’s emphasis that free medicines are already stocked in the hospital pharmacy. As a result, patients should not have to spend large amounts on medicines from outside. The department has instructed doctors to ensure that patients fully benefit from the facilities provided by the government.

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In a meeting arranged to discuss the order, Civil Surgeon Dr. Kirandeep Kaur stated that most essential medicines are already available in the hospital pharmacy, which is supplied by the government. She said that, therefore, there is no need for patients to spend money to buy medicines from private pharmacies. She added that strict action will be taken against any doctor or staff member found violating these instructions.

She has also instructed the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and Medical Officers (MOs) to strictly follow the order, adding that it is the hospital’s responsibility to provide both proper treatment and free medicines to all who come for care, reports The Tribune.

During the meeting, Senior Medical Officer Dr. Rashmi Vij and District Medical Officer Amardeep Singh were also present. Dr Kirandeep Kaur said that the aim is to make healthcare truly affordable and accessible for all.

The Civil Surgeon stressed that the hospital pharmacy should remain well-managed and all medicines must be properly stocked and distributed. She urged all staff members to work honestly so that no patient faces any trouble in receiving free treatment and medicines at the Civil Hospital.

Medical Dialogues had reported that 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.

Also read- Karnataka to mandate Govt doctors to prescribe In-house medicines