Prescriptions of doctors will be audited in J&K: Shyam Lal Sharma

Srinagar: Concerned over the reports about nexus between doctors and medical representatives for promoting their drugs and minting money from poor patients, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to start auditing of prescriptions to discourage the practice of writing unnecessary medicines, officials said here today.
Two doctors were also terminated and another was shifted to the Gurez border area from south Kashmir for remaining absent from duty and prescribing allopathic medicines to the patients.
Health Minister Shyam Lal Sharma yesterday directed heads of the institutions to make everyone accountable and improve the functioning of their institutions.
He said the government would shortly start auditing of prescriptions to discourage the practice of writing unnecessary medicines and so-called tonics, which are actually not required by the patients.
Mr Sharma said complaints were pouring in from the public regarding a nexus between doctors and medical representatives for promoting their drugs and tonics and minting money from them.
He directed the Controller Drugs and Food Control Organisation to conduct frequent surprise checks on the chemists’ shops and ensure the stoppage of such spurious and poor quality drugs’ sale in the market.
The official said Mr Sharma paid surprise visit to various health institutions in south Kashmir and took a stock of the medicare facilities available there.
The institutions which were inspected included primary health centres, Srigufwara, Sallar, Khonmoh, district hospital Anantnag and sub-district hospital Seer Hamdan.
On finding absent from duty, the Minister directed transfer of Dr Mohammad Shafi, Dental Surgeon from Khonmoh to Gurez border town.
The Minister also ordered to sack Dr Suzana, ISM (NRHM) for prescribing allopathic medicines to the patients. One Dawasaz (NRHM) Mubarik Ahmed of Public Health Centre, Khonmoh, was also removed from the duty for violating the dress code, they added.
Dr Mudasir, Assistant Surgeon (NRHM) of PHC, Sallar, was also served termination notice for his poor performance.
Mr Sharma warned sternly all the doctors and para-medicos to work with zeal and dedication and observe medical ethics strictly.
“The dereliction of duty will not be tolerated at any cost and poor performers will face severe action,” the Minister asserted.