Blanket ban imposed on prescription of ‘branded’ medicines

SRINAGAR — Administration of one of the Valley’s tertiary hospitals Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has issued a circular in furtherance of directions conveyed by DGHS, GoI, aimed at clamping a blanket ban on government hospitals from prescribing any ‘branded’ medicines over ‘generic’ medicines.

“It has been conveyed by Director General Health Services, Government of India and endorsed by Director SKIMS & Ex. Officio Secretary to Government, that all the medications prescribed in government hospitals should be generic medicines only and not in any case branded medicines,” reads a circular authenticated by Medical Superintendent Prof. Farooq Ahmad Jan.

“In this regard, it is also reiterated that visits of medical representatives to government hospitals’ premises are completely curtailed,” reads the circular.

“Any information about new launch may be communicated by e-mail only,” reads the circular further.