It started with a mild headache and a sore throat. Nothing major—just the kind of thing you'd usually sleep off. But my mom insisted I see our neighborhood doctor. So, I went in, explained the symptoms, and five minutes later, I walked out with a long receipt and a heavier pharmacy bill. Three tablets for the throat, two for the stomach, a syrup "just in case," and a multivitamin I didn’t ask for.
That visit wasn’t a consultation. It was a transaction.
And it made me wonder: Is my doctor treating my illness—or pushing inventory?
India is home to some of the most brilliant doctors in the world. We’ve got surgeons who can perform miracles and physicians who work 20-hour days in government hospitals for next to nothing. But there’s also a growing trend that’s quietly shaking the foundation of trust between patients and practitioners.
Call it what you want—pharma lobbying, unethical incentives, or just plain greed—but more and more people are beginning to question whether the prescription in their hand is written in their best interest or someone else’s.
You don’t need to be a health policy expert to see it. Just visit a private clinic. Odds are, the doctor’s desk is stacked with branded pens, notepads, and free samples from pharmaceutical reps. The reps themselves often wait outside, briefcases full of "gifts" and monthly sales targets. And behind the scenes? A tightly-wound network of commissions, bonuses, and sponsored conferences.
One friend, a medical rep-turned-whistleblower, once told me, “Sometimes, doctors prescribe antibiotics not because the patient needs it—but because they’ve got a quota to meet.” That’s not just unethical. It’s dangerous. Over-prescription of antibiotics, for instance, is a global health crisis. In India, it’s quietly become routine.
Let’s be honest—we’ve all seen it. You go in with a mild cold and come out with enough medication to open a roadside pharmacy. Most of it you won’t use. Some of it, you don’t even understand. But you take it, because we’re trained to trust the person in the white coat.
But here’s the thing: blind trust is no longer enough.
This isn’t to say doctors are villains. Far from it. Most genuinely want to help. But the system is broken. Medical education is expensive. Starting a practice is costly. And the competition, especially in urban areas, is brutal. When a pharmaceutical company offers kickbacks or sponsored vacations for pushing a particular drug, it becomes harder to say no—especially when no one’s watching.
And patients? We don’t ask questions. Out of respect, fear, or simply confusion. Most of us have never challenged a prescription. We nod, we pay, we swallow the pills—and hope they work. In some ways, the lack of dialogue is what enables this cycle to keep spinning.
But we’re waking up. Slowly.
Young Indians, especially, are starting to Google ingredients, check side effects, and ask follow-up questions. Some even seek second opinions—something that was once considered an insult. Medical influencers on YouTube and Instagram are explaining basic pharmacology to everyday people. Health literacy is growing, even if slowly.
But awareness alone isn’t enough. We need a shift in how medicine is practiced—and how it's regulated.
First, there must be transparency. If a doctor recommends a brand-name medicine, they should explain why it’s better than the generic. If there are side effects, we deserve to know. Second, we need better oversight. Medical councils should actively investigate unethical partnerships between doctors and pharma companies. And finally, medical education must include a stronger ethical foundation—not just science, but responsibility.
Some states have begun exploring reforms. There are whispers of digital prescriptions being audited and e-consultation platforms that cap pill pushing. But progress is slow, and corporate interests run deep.
Until then, we, the patients, must step up.
Ask questions. Request generics. Compare prices. Don’t feel awkward about taking ownership of your own health. A good doctor won’t be offended—they’ll be impressed. And if they’re not? Maybe it’s time to find a better one.
Because healing isn’t just about medicine. It’s about trust. And once that erodes, no pill in the world can bring it back.
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