Sandeep Mishra
Post News Network
BHUBANESWAR: Niramaya, the newly introduced free drug distribution scheme of the state government, is of help to the poor. However, it also brought with it a set of problems. One problem is the disinterest on the part of doctors to prescribe generic drugs; another problem is the direct threat the new scheme posed to Janaousadhi, a similar scheme that was introduced five
years ago.
It was in collaboration with Indian Red Cross Society Orissa State Branch (IRCS-OSB) that the state governemnt introduced Janaousadhi stores across state in 2010. As many as 22 stores provided generic drugs to people at cheap or affordable prices. Niramaya launched this year has a similar role to play, except that it provides drugs free of cost.
Janaousadhi was already facing closure as the medical community was generally against it. Many doctors refused to prescribe generic drugs and went on recommending branded ones. It is common knowledge that drug companies have unholy liaisons with medical practitioners in government hospitals. Now, with the Niramaya providing free drugs, Janaousadhi that keeps with it the same stock of medicines hardly finds has any takers.
“The Drug Distribution Centres (DDC) under Niramaya scheme have all the essential drugs listed by the state government, which are also available at Janaousadhi. If we get the medicines for free at DDCs, why should we pay and buy the same from Janaousadhi,” asked Devraj Nayak, a patient attendant at Capital Hospital.
Now, why would doctors recommend generic drugs from Niramaya, when they were already averse to doing so with Janaousadhi? During the launch of Niramaya, chief secretary GC Pati had raised this issue and asked health department to encourage doctors to prescribe generic drugs only.
Capital Hospital superintendent Binod Mishra said Niramaya is an excellent scheme and it would prove beneficial to the poor. “Niramaya requires doctors’ support. They have to be sensitized to prescribe generic drugs only. If they do not do so, they should be given stringent punishment,” said Mishra. Orissa state medical corporation managing director Roopa Mishra said there would be regular audit of the prescriptions at district headquarter hospitals and medical college hospitals across the state at regular intervals.
The health department is allowing several private medical shops called ‘campus medicals’ to operate inside district headquarter hospitals. They stock no generic medicines but only branded ones, and these are regularly prescribed by doctors. After the introduction of Niramaya, the state government has said it would dismantle campus medical shops across state in a phased manner.
“The Orissa government is trying to bring in the Tamil Nadu model. Niramaya is a good initiative, but who will take care of the quality of the medicines? We run 24/7 medical shops inside hospitals. Patients need our assistance. Niramaya is good, but the government is doing an injustice to us,” said Pragati Mahanty, owner of SEVA medical store inside Capital Hospital.
Niramaya is aiming to distribute all 570 generic drugs listed by the state for free to the people through its DDCs in district headquarter hospitals, medical college hospitals etc. The state’s revised generic drug list has all medicines ranging from fever to deadly cancers.
The government says it would take time for the scheme to be fully operational. “Niramaya is a great step by the state government to help the poor needing health care. If a doctor charges `100 for consultation, he would prescribe medicine for another `200. Niramaya will cut the expenses substantially,” said former director of Capital Hospital, PK Acharya.
