In a significant stride towards affordable and rational healthcare, Kasturba Hospital- attached to Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences - proudly confirms its unwavering compliance with the recent guidelines set forth by the National Medical Council. For over a decade, Kasturba Hospital has advocated and implemented the use of generic medicines, reaffirming its commitment to patient well-being and financial accessibility. Commencing in 2010, the hospital introduced a ground-breaking low-cost drug initiative at MGIMS to ensure affordable healthcare for every patient. This initiative not only highlights MGIMS and Kasturba Hospital's dedication to healthcare but also underscores its responsibility toward promoting informed medical practices.
Dr. Poonam Shivkumar Varma (Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital) states, "I am proud to say that our institute rolled the Low-Cost-Drug initiative back in 2010. Since then our consultants and residents have been prescribing generic drugs to all patients. This initiative has helped our patients avail high-quality medical treatments at significantly reduced costs, ensuring equitable access to essential healthcare services."
Dr. SP Kalantri, Director Professor of Medicine at MGIMS and the visionary behind the low-cost-drug initiative, expresses, “We made doctors and the public aware of the benefits of the initiative. Moreover, we conscientiously barred drug representatives from showcasing their products within the hospital premises To further this cause, we have taken measures to eliminate unnecessary medications and curb the irrational use of antibiotics in our hospital.”
“Our institute has been at the forefront of the generic medicine movement that transformed the rural healthcare landscape. Our pharmacy caters to around 2000 prescriptions daily, totaling nearly half a million in 2022. The low-cost drug initiative has not only led to improved patient outcomes but has also remarkably reduced the financial burden associated with medical treatments, both for outpatients and inpatients”, said Shri Dhirubhai Mehta (President, Kasturba Health Society)
Examples of the cost savings achieved through generic medicines are compelling. Atorvastatin, a cholesterol-reducing medication, for instance, sells at the medical store for Rs 4.30 per 10 tablets instead of Rs 78, the MRP price printed on the brand-named leader. Similarly, Piperacillin Tazobactam, an antibiotic that doctors choose to treat their seriously ill patients with sepsis costs Rs 115 as against the market price of Rs 450.
Dr. Ramesh Pandey (Deputy Medical Superintendent and Officer-In-Charge of the Medical Store at Kasturba Hospital) explains, "Our strategic collaboration with reputed pharmaceutical companies enables us to provide these cost-effective medicines to our patients. For instance, patients with coronary heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes can now access evidence-based treatment for less than Rs 150 per month, translating to roughly Rs 5 per day."
Kasturba Hospital and MGIMS’s dedication to providing affordable, appropriate, and accessible healthcare is an exemplary model for healthcare institutions nationwide. Through the judicious use of generic medicines, the hospital has elevated patient-centric care, fostering a healthier and financially sustainable future.