Gandhinagar: The Commissioner of Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, has directed hospitals across the state to prominently display signs at their in-house medical stores stating, “Patients of this hospital are not required to purchase medicines from here.”
FDCA Commissioner HG Koshia revealed that many hospitals reportedly compel patients seeking treatment to purchase medicines exclusively from their in-house pharmacies. This practice limits patients’ access to affordable generic alternatives, placing undue financial burden on them. In a press release, Koshia said the state govt must ensure that citizens have access to essential medicines that are safe, high-quality and reasonably priced.
“To safeguard public interest, the FDCA instructed all hospitals to ensure compliance with the directive. The measure aims to empower patients to freely procure medicines from any pharmacy of their choice, avoiding unnecessary financial stress,” said Koshia.
Also, the latest Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 mandates that all clinical establishments, including hospitals, must adhere to certain standards to ensure patient rights and access to services. “This includes ensuring that patients are not compelled to purchase medicines from in-house pharmacies, thereby allowing them the freedom to choose where to buy their medications,” says a senior FDCA official.
