Doctors in Goa, this Sunday will go back to school. Quiteliterally. In a continuing medical education programme hosted by VoluntaryHealth Association of Goa (VHAG) in collaboration with Goa Medical Council andDepartment of Health Services, doctors will be learning the most basic of allexercises, writing medical prescriptionsproperly.
A study conducted by VHAG in Goa found out that over 84% ofthe prescriptions came only from private practitioners. “We found out thatwhile one fourth of the prescriptions did not have the prescribing doctor'sname and contact details, a whopping 75% did not have the doctor’s MedicalRegistration Number,” explains Dr Gladstone D’Costa, member, VHAG.Interestingly, the study found that over half of the friendly neighbourhooddoctors did not write the patient’s full name. Majority of the prescriptionsdid not explain to the patient on how he was supposed to have the prescribed medicines.
Goa has over 3400 doctors of modern medicine or allopathy registered with GoaMedical Council. These doctors are mostly practicing independently. The studythrows up some disturbing insights on how the prescriptions are not consumerfriendly.
The day long training programme at Margao will bring thefocus back on establishing guidelines for prescription writing and handling fordoctors, dentists, veterinarians and pharmacists. “Health Minister LaxmikantParsekar will be releasing a booklet on Guidelines on prescription writing andprescription handling while there will be sessions on common errors inthe prescription format and common medication errors in prescriptions”,informs D’Costa.
VHAG’s best practice programme succeeds its study at a timewhen Goa has been recognized amongst the best States in health indicators. The studyhowever raises serious doubts on the price of this reputation. Goa’s onlyprescription study also found that private practitioners were more likely toprescribe more medicines and branded medicines including antibiotics,vitamins/tonics and non-allopathic medicines as against public practitioners whowere likely to prescribe psychotropics and cardiovascular drugs.
