Pune: New Sassoon Hospital Dean Dr Eknath Pawar warns doctors against asking patients to buy medicines from outside

Pune: BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital Dean Dr Eknath Pawar on Friday warned doctors against asking patients or their relatives to buy medicines from stores outside. He told them that a majority of patients visiting the government hospital are poor. They should not be asked to buy medicines from outside. They should prescribe only those medicines which are available in the hospital.

Dr Pawar, Head, Osteopathy Department, JJ Hospital, Mumbai, has been given additional charge of the Dean’s post. He assumed office on Friday. He then held a meeting of the College Conference.

According to sources, a discussion was held in the meeting on the issues of purchasing of medicines and asking patients to buy medicines from private stores outside. At this point, Dr Pawar warned the doctors that they should not ask patients or their relatives to buy medicines from outside under any circumstances. They should prescribe only those medicines which are available in the hospital.

Incidents happened recently, in which doctors from the Sassoon Hospital asked patients or their relatives to get medicines from private medical stores in the vicinity. Complaints were lodged about this. Taking cognizance of such practices, he instructed them to avoid them in the first meeting.

To restore past repute of Sassoon Hospital

Dr Pawar was speaking to the media after assuming charge. He said, “I am among the alumni of this college. I have affection for the institution. Its repute has been dented due to some incidents in the recent past. I will try to restore its repute. Priority will be given to provide services to patients in the Sassoon Hospital. Steps will be taken to provide timely and proper treatment to patients.”