Prescribing generic drugs a must from today
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has decided to ban the issuing
of prescriptions in the drugs' trade name and made it compulsory to
issue drugs prescribed by doctors in Government and private hospitals in
the drugs' generic names from today.
Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said a
circular in this regard has been issued to all Government hospitals.
"But doctors in private hospitals must explain to patients about the
benefits of issuing the drug prescribed under the generic name. From the
beginning, multi-national companies earned more money selling drugs at
expensive prices.
"If doctors do not follow Ministry decisions, they are violating the
Private Medical Ordinance," Minister de Silva said.
The Minister said those who violate the Private Medical Ordinance
will be punished. De Silva speaking at the opening of the Rajjya Osu
Sela at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital yesterday, said the State
Pharmaceuticals Corporation has taken steps to establish several Rajjya
Osu Sal at Government Hospitals to support the launch of the drugs
policy of late Professor Senaka Bibile. Under this programme the second
Rajjya Osu Sela was opened at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.
De Silva said the Health Ministry's aim is to give a quality health
service to the people. |