The Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, challenged independent Member Virendra Lal to provide proof regarding claims that certain General Practitioners (GPs) were directing patients to their own or friends’ pharmacies for prescriptions.
During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Mr. Lal alleged that GPs participating in the Public Private Partnership Healthcare Scheme often instructed patients to visit specific pharmacies instead of utilizing hospital or health center services. He raised concerns about patients potentially missing out on free medications due to these practices.
Ratu Naiqama emphasized the gravity of Mr. Lal’s claims and requested substantiation. He said, “Honourable Member, you have indicated a very serious situation where you are saying that some of the doctors are referring them to their own pharmacies? Do you have evidence of that?”
In response, Mr. Lal assured the Speaker that he could provide evidence. However, Ratu Naiqama reiterated the importance of verifying these allegations, stating, “We need to be very careful,” and underscored that the discussion should not proceed based on unsubstantiated claims.