Why Maharashtra FDA Banned Compulsory Hospital Pharmacy Purchases
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has banned hospitals from forcing patients to buy medicines from in-house pharmacies. Hospitals must now provide prescriptions and display notices informing patients of their right to purchase from any licensed outlet. This move is part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed pharmacies, spurious drugs, and poor food safety standards.
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In a major move to protect patient rights and curb unfair pricing, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a strict directive prohibiting private hospitals from forcing patients to purchase medicines exclusively from in-house or affiliated pharmacies. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced the policy in June 2026, affirming that patients have the fundamental right to choose where they source their prescribed medications.
The directive follows widespread complaints that many private hospitals were leveraging their position to lock patients into paying premium prices, often ignoring cheaper generic alternatives available at independent pharmacies. Maharashtra FDA Mandates Free Potable Water in All Hotels and Restaurants.
Key Directives for Hospitals
Under the new regulations, hospitals must adhere to several mandatory practices to ensure transparency:
- Freedom of Choice: Hospitals and doctors are strictly forbidden from compelling patients or their families to buy medicines from specific in-house outlets.
- Mandatory Prescription Handover: Doctors are now legally required to provide patients or their relatives with a physical copy of the prescription, enabling them to purchase medicines from any licensed pharmacy of their choosing.
- Display Boards: Every hospital is required to display bilingual notice boards (in Marathi and English) at prominent locations, explicitly informing patients of their right to source medicines from outside retailers.
"We are also monitoring the drug sector closely, taking action against spurious drugs and unlicensed pharmacies, particularly those in hospitals that force patients to buy exclusive prescriptions," Mundhe stated, emphasising that his enforcement approach applies impartially across all sectors. He warned that any hospital found violating these rules or pressuring patients would face stringent legal action.
Broader Enforcement Drive
This pharmacy policy is part of a wider regulatory crackdown spearheaded by Commissioner Mundhe since he took office in May 2026. The FDA’s intensified enforcement drive includes:
- Crackdown on Spurious Drugs: The department is actively raiding unlicensed premises; for instance, authorities recently seized INR 20 lakh worth of improperly stored medicines from a private hospital in Nagpur that lacked a valid sales license.
- Food Safety Reforms: Beyond pharmaceuticals, Mundhe has pursued a firm stance on food safety, mandating that restaurants provide free potable water and strictly enforcing hygiene regulations across the hospitality sector.
Commissioner Mundhe has linked these initiatives to a broader public health goal, noting that unsafe products and poor compliance - whether in food, dairy, or medicine - contribute silently to the country's shifting disease burden. He has urged citizens to be more aware of their rights and to report any instances where hospitals refuse to provide prescriptions or exert undue influence over purchase decisions. Pakistani Goree Beauty Cream Flagged by FDA for Mercury and Lead, Maharashtra Orders Immediate Ban.
Patients who encounter violations of these new pharmacy rules are encouraged to lodge complaints directly with their local FDA divisional office.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2026 03:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
