Patna: A private hospital has parted ways with a doctor after a review found that several of his prescriptions could not be filled at the hospital's own pharmacy, officials said.
The doctor, who had practised for several years, was understood to have prescribed on the basis of clinical need. Management described this as a commendable instinct, though one that sat uneasily with the hospital's commitment to convenience.
"We encourage our doctors to use their judgement," a spokesperson said. "We also encourage them to remember that patients appreciate having everything in one place." He added that the hospital had full confidence in its doctors, and in its pharmacy, and that it had never had occasion to test the two against each other until now.
Patients, officials noted, should not have to look elsewhere for medicines when suitable options are available on the premises. Where a prescribed medicine is not stocked, the pharmacy is always happy to discuss what it does have. Several patients said these conversations had been very thorough.
The doctor was reportedly given a chance to explain himself and cited the patient's condition. Management said it had taken note of this, and of the fact that the condition had not been raised with the pharmacy beforehand.
The hospital said it was considering whether doctors might be given earlier access to current stock levels, in the interest of continuity. A senior administrator confirmed that a shortlist of commonly stocked ailments was under review. No decision has been made, though the shortlist is said to be encouraging.
The hospital reiterated its commitment to patient care and said it looked forward to continuing to serve patients whose needs it is well placed to meet.
