Jaipur Implements Self-Verification for Doctors’ RGHS Prescriptions

In a significant move to bolster the reliability and accountability of medical consultations and prescriptions under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS), Principal Secretary of Medical and Health, Gayatri Rathore, announced new directives. These guidelines aim to markedly enhance the integrity of prescriptions issued within the framework of the scheme.

Investigations have disclosed incidents wherein prescriptions intended for beneficiaries were prepared and signed by Junior Residents or other staff members, lacking the verification and authentication by the designated Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) empanelled under RGHS. Given the potential implications, Rathore emphasised the necessity for personal examination and verification of every RGHS prescription by the concerned empanelled doctor. This protocol mandates that each prescription must bear the doctor’s signature and official seal to ensure compliance and authenticity.

RGHS Project Officer Nidhi Patel elaborated on the new procedure, clarifying that while staff may assist with drafting prescriptions, documenting clinical details, or inputting data according to established institutional protocols, the ultimate accountability relating to clinical assessments, diagnoses, prescribed treatments, and medicines is vested solely with the empanelled doctor. Furthermore, she stressed that the recent instructions categorically disallow any unauthorised individual from signing or endorsing a prescription on behalf of the responsible doctor.

Patel warned that prescriptions lacking appropriate verification and authentication from the concerned medical professional would not be recognised as valid during the evaluation and reimbursement processes associated with RGHS claims. This oversight could lead to significant consequences, as actions may be initiated in accordance with both RGHS guidelines and the stipulations of the empanelment process.

In light of ensuring these guidelines are effectively enacted, all hospitals aligned with RGHS have been directed to achieve prompt and rigorous compliance. This initiative intends to safeguard the welfare of beneficiaries and uphold the standard of medical practices within the healthcare system.

Moreover, the Rajasthan government took action earlier this week to reinforce the integrity of the medicine delivery system associated with RGHS. The Transaction Management System (TMS) for 215 private pharmacies was temporarily suspended due to their failure to provide medication to beneficiaries or to engage in effective operation under the RGHS for an extended period, with some pharmacies reportedly inactive for nearly two months.

This step followed directives from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajanlal Sharma, and the Minister of Medical and Health, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, to guarantee the timely accessibility of medicines for RGHS beneficiaries. Rathore addressed the matter, indicating that the distribution system for medicines under RGHS is under ongoing scrutiny. Pharmacies that had persistently failed to supply medications were issued notices requiring explanations for their inactivity.

The TMS suspension actions were implemented after pharmacies either provided unsatisfactory responses or failed to respond altogether to the notices. Notably, the largest number of suspensions occurred in Jaipur, where 39 pharmacies were affected. This underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that beneficiaries receive the medicines they rely on while simultaneously holding healthcare providers accountable for their services.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share