Bengaluru: Health minister UT Khader has directed officials to immediately stop doctors at govt hospitals from prescribing medicines on plain paper and asking patients to buy them from private medical stores. He warned that doctors and officials found violating rules will face strict action, while pharmacies accepting such prescriptions risk losing their licences.The directions follow a Vijaya Karnataka reality check published on Nov 6, which exposed the practice of doctors issuing prescriptions on plain paper, commonly referred to as ‘white slips’, and directing patients to private medical stores. The report highlighted how a practice that bypasses official hospital prescriptions has been affecting patients who approach govt facilities expecting free medicines.Responding to the report, Khader said, “Poor patients coming to govt hospitals must receive free, quality medicines at the hospital itself. Writing prescriptions on plain paper and allowing sale of medicines through outside medical stores without authorisation will not be permitted.”
