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Doctors and Medical Stores in Alwar Accused of Collusion
A major financial scandal exceeding ₹100 crore has surfaced in Rajasthan, where an official audit of the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS) has uncovered extensive collusion between doctors and medical store operators in Alwar district. The fraudulent activities centered around doctors allegedly prescribing unnecessary and expensive medicines to boost profits, often without performing any diagnostic tests or proper medical assessments.
Audit Unveils Widespread Malpractices
According to the audit conducted by the state Finance Department and the Rajasthan Social and Performance Audit Authority, doctors at various health centers:
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Misdiagnosed patients and prescribed costly medications not required for their conditions.
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Directed patients to specific medical stores to fill these prescriptions, securing mutual financial benefits.
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Issued fake medical reports to legitimize the distribution of these medications.
Notable Irregularities Found
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At Shivaji Park Primary Health Centre, a pregnant woman was prescribed infertility drugs.
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Several patients were given three different brands of blood pressure medications, sometimes without being diagnosed with hypertension.
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Non-diabetic individuals were prescribed anti-diabetic medications, while individuals without any history of eye problems received eye drops.
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Both members of a married couple were, in some cases, given identical sets of medicines regardless of their real ailments.
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Prescription of drugs such as antibiotics, insulin, and anti-depressants was often made without supporting test results, such as HBA1C (for blood sugar), RFT (for kidney function), or 2D echo (for heart failure).
Moreover, many patients received strong antibiotics and insulin even when not medically necessary, apparently to inflate bills. Duplicate patient data and fake reports were also discovered, suggesting a systematic effort to exploit the government scheme.
Actions Taken
Following these revelations, the authorities have issued show-cause notices to 11 doctors implicated in the scandal. The Rajasthan state health department is expected to take further action pending their responses and the outcomes of a more extensive investigation into these breaches.
Implications for Patient Safety
The audit not only points to severe financial irregularities but also raises concerns about the safety and well-being of patients. Indiscriminate prescription and administration of drugs—without appropriate checks and medical justification—presented significant risks to patient health, according to the report.
Disclaimer:
The information presented here is based on available audit findings and media reports as of July 2025. All individuals mentioned are considered innocent until proven guilty by appropriate authorities. For further details or clarifications, please refer to official government statements and follow-up actions.
