Saving Lives and Money: CGHS Shift to Generic Medicines in 2023.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(a) whether the Government has
taken note that CGHS Wellness Centres including in the North-Eastern States
like CGHS Wellness Centre, Dispur, Guwahati, the doctors refuse to give
prescribed medicines advised by the doctors of private empanelled hospitals and
instead give alternative medicines as per their own choice citing that the cost
of prescribed medicines are higher;
(b) if so, whether there are any guidelines issued by the Government which allow CMOs of CGHS Wellness Centres including in North-Eastern States to refuse to give the prescribed medicines advised by specialized doctors of private empanelled hospitals; and
(c) the manner in which the
Government monitor these sensitive issues in the North-Eastern States and take
steps for the wellbeing of the CGHS card holders?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on
the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 224 FOR 4TH AUGUST, 2023
(a) to (c) To promote generic
medicines, government Medical Officers, time and again, have been instructed to
prescribe generic medicines only and desist from prescribing branded medicines.
Director General of Health Services in May, 2023 has reiterated directions for
all doctors in Central Government Hospitals/ CGHS Wellness Centers/ Polyclinics
to prescribe generic medicines only, failing which attracts suitable action.
However, Specialists/ Doctors at CGHS empanelled hospitals at times prescribe
branded medicines. Medical Officer at CGHS Wellness Centres do not provide
alternative medicines. Only generic medicines having identical formulation and
therpeutic effects are provided to beneficiaries in place of branded medicines
prescribed by doctors of private empanelled Hospitals.
In case suitable generic medicine
or any other drug of same composition is unavailable at Wellness Centre, the
prescribed medicine is indented through Authorized Local Chemist (ALC) and
issued to the beneficiary. CGHS procures generic medicines in bulk through
Medical Stores Organization. This mechasim of medicine distribution is followed
across the country including North-Eastern States.
Strengthening and reform of any
scheme is a continuous and dynamic process.
To ensure optimal functionality to facilitate seamless delivery of health care services and prompt redressal of grievances within the CGHS system, Local Advisory Committee(s) at Wellness Centre level and Zonal Advisory Committee(s) at Additional Director level have been re-constituted in all CGHS cities including in North-Eastern States. Beneficiaries may raise the grievance related to issue of medicines before these Committees for redressal.
