Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao today called for remedial steps to overcome shortcomings in the healthcare system and asked officials to take action against companies coming out with fallacious advertisements related to “wonder” drugs and medical products.
He sought to know why authorities are not taking action against drug manufacturing and marketing companies coming out with misleading commercials.
“Often I get surprised to see advertisements which say if you are a diabetic you are going to lose your eye sight, limbs or brain power. They create a fear psychosis. They then suggest wonder drugs that cost you only Rs 999,” he said. Rao was addressing a gathering largely comprising doctors at the Annual Dhanvantari Award function here.
“After a few months, they disappear and new advertisements pop up on TV. I don’t know what legal authorities are doing. This has to be checked. No case has been filed till today. This is creating havoc in each and every home,” said Rao.
Highlighting inadequacies in the healthcare system, he said, “India’s healthcare system seems to have got stuck in a vicious cycle of lack of infrastructure, shortage and absence of doctors. We have a long way to go in evolving a holistic healthcare system which is affordable, accessible and excellent.”
He said there was a need to work in at least three areas to put a robust healthcare system in place.
“One, strengthen public health infrastructure, second open one government medical college and one nursing college in each district and third extensive research on lifestyle-related diseases that are causing havoc in the society,” he said.
The Governor hoped the ongoing Make In India week in Mumbai would help manufacture high-tech medical equipment at an affordable cost in the country. This would substantially reduce the cost of treatment and also boost medical tourism in the country, Rao added.
