Doon Medical College Docs warned against prescribing OUTSIDE medicines

Dehradun: Doctors in the Government Doon Medical College and hospital have been cautioned by the officials not to prescribe medicines outside the hospital, which are not available at the in-house pharmacy. They have been warned of disciplinary action if found indulging in such practices, as per a media report in the Times of India.

A warning was issued by the state health department earlier in this regard to the government hospital doctors to avoid prescribing medicines from outside.

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Complaints were received in this regard, where the doctors were reported to be "doing this for a fee in tandem with medical representatives and gross sales personnel". Following the complaints, the health department had carried out inspections in December last year. They had also sent out the required notices when prescriptions of outside medicines were found.

It was found that the doctors used to prescribe the same medicines under different brand names which were only available for purchase elsewhere, causing inconvenience to the patients, and also enabling medical practitioners to earn profits who have a nexus with sales representatives.

The chief medical superintendent (CMS), Doon hospital, Dr. KC Pant said, "We have once again reminded our medical doctors to solely prescribe medicines obtainable with us. Every three months we overview the necessities and add on the mandatory medicines to our pharmacy. In case some particular drugs aren't obtainable, the closest composition is prescribed however we attempt to preserve it in-house solely."

However, the CMS added that only general complaints were made against doctors who were said to indulge in monetary activities, but no specific complaint has been made against any particular medical practitioner. The CMS told TOI, "In case allegations are made against any doctor, we will immediately notify their superior and take departmental action against them. Such practices will not be tolerated."

The medicines in government hospitals are meant to be provided free of cost to the patients. However, at times, the government doctors are involved in a nexus, where they work with the sales representatives to earn profit. They prescribe certain medicines for commission thus creating issues for patients who are from marginalized sections of the society, and most often are unable to afford such expensive medicines.

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