Chennai, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : The Tamil Nadu government has initiated an investigation into hospitals following complaints about excessive charges for medications and medical supplies. The Drug Control Directorate has ordered inspections of select hospitals and their affiliated pharmacies in response to these allegations.
Reports indicate that while hospitals procure drugs at lower prices, they charge patients the maximum retail price (MRP) or close to it. The investigation will assess the pricing of medications, medical devices, and consumables. Inspectors will compare the purchase prices with patient bills to identify any overcharging and potential violations of pricing or labeling regulations.
In a separate directive, officials have been instructed to intensify scrutiny of the illegal sale of habit-forming prescription drugs. Concerns have been raised regarding the misuse of medications like tapentadol and nitrazepam, which pose a public health risk and require stringent monitoring.
On October 1, S. Guru Bharti, Joint Director of Drug Control, issued these orders to Assistant Directors, detailing the records to be examined and the reporting process. This action follows growing concerns about discrepancies between procurement costs and the amounts charged to patients.
Inspectors have been tasked with documenting significant price differences, suspicions of overcharging, discrepancies in records, and any violations of pricing or labeling rules. All findings must be supported by documentation.
The inspections are to be prioritized, culminating in a comprehensive report to the Directorate. Where violations of pricing regulations are confirmed, action will be taken under the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013. Reports of these actions must also be submitted with appropriate documentation for further proceedings.
The second directive highlights the misuse of prescription drugs as a public health concern and calls for enhanced monitoring and enforcement in local areas. Assistant Directors are also instructed to conduct surprise inspections at retail and wholesale outlets, particularly in regions where misuse has been reported.
During these inspections, officials must verify valid prescriptions, purchase and sales records, bills, stock status, and other essential documents. Special attention will be given to disposable syringes and needles, which can be misused or diverted. Any discrepancies in stock and records must be investigated to determine the nature of the irregularities.
The inspections will focus on procurement bills, printed MRPs, sales prices, and billing practices, especially concerning high-cost medications and injections. All critical findings will be documented accordingly.
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