New Delhi, June 16 (IANS). The Health Ministry has issued a notification that now a doctor’s prescription will be necessary for all syrups including cough syrup. At the same time, this decision of the government has been welcomed by the chemists of East Delhi. He says that this will prevent misuse of medicines by the youth to a great extent. However, there remains concern about the cost of consultation for low-income patients.
Chemist traders based in Lakshmi Nagar, Delhi welcomed the government’s decision while talking to IANS.
Chemist Amritnath Shukla said that government guidelines should be followed. But I request the government to think about all sections of people. If a poor person comes and asks for cough medicine, what should be done in such a situation? That poor man does not have money to pay the fee of Rs 500 for going to the doctor. If he arranges for Rs 500, then from where will he get Rs 500 separately for medicines after fees. The government should consider this.
He said that about 80 percent of the people who come to us do not have doctor’s prescription. If the poor get relief from medicine worth Rs 100, then why would they pay Rs 500 to the doctor? Ban medicines are not given from our side, but some mild medicines should be given the right to be given.
Chemist Vishnu Guha said that the notification has now come from the government, but whenever we give any cough syrup, a prescription is necessary for it. Which patient needs what kind of syrup and sometimes the medicines react. If someone is poor and is not able to pay the doctor’s fees then he should be seen in the dispensary. He said that many times people misuse cough syrup. People drink many syrups as an intoxicant. The prescription will be good for both us and the patients. We welcome this decision of the government.
–IANS
ASH/PM