Don't force patients to buy medicine from in-house pharmacy

Delhi Government today directed all private hospitals and nursing homes to not to force patients to buy drugs from their in-house pharmacy and prominently display charges levied on health care services provided by them.
"It is often reported that hospitals are compelling patients to procure drugs from in-house pharmacy for their in-door and out-door treatment purposes in nursing homes and private hospitals," said an official advisory issued today.
Patients or attendants may be allowed to source the requisite drugs for their treatment as per their choice, it said.
"Hospitals authorities must ensure that the charges levied for all services are duly displayed at a conspicuous place in the hospital or nursing home, as also in their websites," the advisory said.

Reiterating its earlier direction, the Directorate of Health Services told all government and private hospitals to provide immediate medical care to victims of crimes, road accidents, acid attack and sexual assault "without any delay".
"If the concerned hospital where the victim is taken does not have the advanced facilities to deal with the condition, then they refer them to other hospital after giving the primary first aid," the advisory said adding that every hospital management has treat these patients free of cost.

Further, private hospitals were asked to encourage doctors to prescribe drugs with generic names and create awareness on the issue.

The advisory came following complaints of excessive charges levied by private hospitals, refusal or delay in providing immediate medical care to victims of crimes or road accidents and compelling patients to buy drugs from in-house pharmacy among others.
All city hospitals have also been asked to sensitize their staff working in mortuaries to ensure "due dignity" of dead persons under all circumstances.
"Dead bodies need to be handled with due respect and seriousness," it said.