ARP to check prescription of unnecessary drugs: J&K govt

The Jammu and Kashmir government has set up a panel to check the practice of prescribing of "unnecessary" medicines by doctors at government hospitals to "promote" the product of some specific companies.
"The government is concerned over reports that some doctors at government hospitals are prescribing unnecessary medicines to promote the products of some specific companies. It has set up an Audit Regulatory Panel which will regularly monitor prescriptions," state's Minister for Health, Bali Bhagat, said.
He said the government will put in place a foolproof mechanism for keeping a record of prescriptions written by the doctors in all hospitals to discourage the "unhealthy" practice.

"A duplicate copy of the prescription will be kept in the hospital record for an audit. A doctor will have to prescribe medicines according to the drugs available in the hospital.
"In case a medicine is not available in the hospital store, they are required to prescribe the generic drug as an alternative," the minister said.
Doctors are required to prescribe only "genuine and necessary" medicines as per the government supply. Action as per norms would be taken against those who will not follow the instructions of the government, he said.

The minister has also directed the Director, Health Services, to ensure necessary auditing of prescriptions in a systematic manner and safeguard the interest of patients from economically weaker sections.

"Hospitals have been instructed to put on display the list of free drugs available with them," he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has made available free drugs since June 1 under the "free drug policy" for the patients undergoing treatment in state-run hospitals.