Have you ever been stuck at a hospital&nbsp;pharmacy, feeling like you&rsquo;re being squeezed for every rupee? You&rsquo;re not alone.
As far back as 2018, an investigation by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) found that private hospitals inflate prices of drugs and consumables by up to 1700%. For something as simple as saline, the mark-up could be as high as 316%, a report stated, adding that an oxygen mask procured for ₹26.41 was being sold for ₹230&mdash;a 771% hike.
Now, Gujarat's Food and Drugs Department has issued a directive, ordering private hospitals to put up signage saying, &ldquo;Patients are NOT required to buy medicines here.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The new Gujarat FDA order means patients and relatives have the power to choose where they buy their medicines. They always did, but now hospitals have to put it in writing. This means the public can no longer be cornered into buying overpriced drugs just because they&rsquo;re in a particular hospital.
This means patients and their relatives can now fill prescriptions with cheaper, generic versions of the medicines, bought from any local store.
What exactly are generics? 
To put it simply, you&rsquo;ve got two types of drugs.
First, there are branded drugs&mdash;the designer clothes of the medical world. Developed by big pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;through tons of research, they&nbsp;cost a bomb, come with fancy packaging, and basically scream &ldquo;premium product&rdquo;.
Then, there are the generics. They&rsquo;re made from the same ingredients as the branded stuff, so they&rsquo;re just as effective, despite being way cheaper.
However, according to a recent study, two-drug combinations of three&nbsp;<a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/about/health-wellness/">popular medicines</a> used in patients with high blood pressure (BP) are far more effective in controlling hypertension than single medicines. It is less common to find generic drugs in such combinations. So, a local pharmacy may not be able to provide a solution if the patient requires a combination drug.&nbsp;
In such a situation, it becomes imperative for patients to discuss their options with their doctors and for doctors to take the time to educate their patients.
The Gujarat FDA&rsquo;s directive isn&rsquo;t just a bureaucratic order&mdash;it&rsquo;s a lifeline for patients drowning in medical expenses. While the solution isn&rsquo;t perfect (combination drugs and specialized treatments still pose challenges), it&rsquo;s a significant step towards making healthcare more transparent and affordable.&nbsp;
For patients, it&rsquo;s about having the freedom to make informed choices about their treatment without feeling cornered or exploited.

The system has long prioritized profits over people's well-being

Gujarat FDA’s order to hosps is a crucial step towards transparent, affordable healthcare

‘Not Mandatory to Buy Meds from Hospitals’

Gujarat FDA’s order to hosps is a crucial step towards transparent, affordable healthcare

December 14, 2024 | 15:29 IST