Ramban – November 7: Clamping down on unethical prescribing practices that impose severe out-of-pocket financial distress on vulnerable patients, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ramban has ordered the mandatory establishment of a dedicated Prescription Audit Committee (PAC) across all government healthcare institutions in Ramban district.
The directive was issued through a formal circular addressed to the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital (DH) Ramban and all Block Medical Officers (BMOs). The intervention follows the circulation of a viral audio clip alleging that certain government doctors across public hospitals in Ramban routinely prescribe costly commercial branded drugs despite the ready availability of free generic medicines and supplies stocked in government hospital pharmacies.
Under the statutory framework notified by the CMO, the Prescription Audit Committee will execute an impartial, evidence-based scrutiny of all Outpatient Department (OPD) and Inpatient Department (IPD) prescription slips. The audit aims to detect irrational, medically redundant, or commercially motivated drug prescriptions. Where violations are established through verified documentary evidence, the PAC has been instructed to identify defaulting doctors by name for onward submission and disciplinary action by higher administrative authorities.
The oversight committee is also tasked with conducting systematic physical stock verification against hospital pharmacy ledgers to determine whether doctors have valid, documented clinical justifications when opting for non-formulary or proprietary medications over standard government-supplied drugs.
Crucially, the audit panels will collect direct, confidential feedback from patients and their attendants to verify whether they were coerced, pressured, or steered by medical practitioners to purchase pharmaceuticals or undergo diagnostic investigations at specific private chemists or commercial diagnostic facilities.
The CMO has directed the Medical Superintendent of DH Ramban and all BMOs to submit a detailed, institution-wise audit report—complete with documentary findings, pharmacy stock audits, and actionable recommendations—to the CMO’s office within seven days.
Published by True Roots Media