Findings and Inferences from project- BRCC-Andhra

Survey Covered in Pharma and Private Health Care Sectors The survey covers 3 Zones;
Zone-I : Kakinada & Visakapatnam cities (Visakapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari Districts)
Zone-II : Guntur & Vijayawada cities (Krishna, Guntur and Nellore , Prakasham districts)
Zone-III : Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak and Mahaboob Nagar Dist.<br>

Macro level findings in Pharmaceutical Sector The large except few small scale industries do comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) requirements to the required level meeting with the stringent requirements from domestic and International customers for the supply of quality product on continuous basis.

Pharmaceutical industry representing Govt.of A.P have really taken the challenges as opportunities to contribute significant growth in the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The pharmaceutical industry of Govt.of A.P is struggling hard with commitment to fulfill the stringent environmental regulations framed by Ministry of Environment and forest (MOEF), monitoring of the implementation is being carried out by APPCB in association with the central pollution control board (CPCB) guidance and directions.


The common disposal of waste from small to medium organizations through these common treatment plants is not only a great relief but also justified for huge capital investment otherwise required.

The manufacturing of drug products and distribution to ultimate customers (human beings) as required is generally being carried out through marketing net work and medical representatives in the front line.

The every organization’s target to maximize sales and increase customer base with an ultimate aim to achieve maximum profit while gaining the product reputation in the market and establish the product brand.<br>

Macro level findings in Private Health Care Sector Noncompliance regulatory norms.

Most of the health care units in different municipal areas do not have a proper Bio Medical Waste Management system.

BMW Management is done mostly through agreement with competent practices and state PCB is very rigid and strict about the enforcement of BMW. All the hospitals are aware about BMW management and handling rules.


The professionals formulate regulations to operate private nursing homes and hospitals. Otherwise, the government will have to participate in laying down guidelines, directives or regulations to ensure quality care.

There is lack of continuous medical education programmes for healthcare providers. A continuous education programme for physicians may be introduced to improve quality care.

CSR is a good concept. But the organizations or business enterprises is not ready to implement because it involves direct and indirect cost. It needs a dedicative approach to perform CSR not only one angle that is business and profit.


The National Voluntary Guidelines not understood and followed by the many people involved in Health Care Industry.<br>

Overall Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) understanding level and implementation to the required regulatory requirements in Zone-I & Zone-III sectors is almost about 80 to 85% satisfactory level. About 15 to 20 %, though understanding is fairly satisfactory found gap in the implementation. This observation is mostly applicable in the small to medium scale industries.

In Zone-I and Zone-III sectors, the information reveals that, the practices that are being currently followed is about 50% satisfactory level only.

In Zone-II sector, the information reveals that, the practices that are being currently followed is about 30% satisfactory level only.

The poor environmental management practices implementation from small to medium scale industries is mainly due to financial constraints. Survey Findings in Pharmaceutical sector<br>

Survey Findings in Pharmaceutical sector Currently, there are about 10 industries started implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in the respective surrounding localities.
The CSR programmes currently under implementation are sponsoring programmes to promote education, to improve sanitary and hygiene environments, health camps etc,.
The population covered under survey for manufacturing of pharmaceutical drug products is only about 10%.
All the industries manufacturing pharmaceutical drug products did express that the distribution of drug products through medical representatives (MR’s) is the right channel.
The Distribution of drug products by MR’s through their regular visits to Doctors, Chemists, Hospitals administration management and through electronic media.
Majority of the industries feel that the sales and marketing activity is purely proprietary and not interested to disclose the actual practices.
The Pharma industries in the state of A.P have obtained highest no. of US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and other regulatory approvals and continue to maintain the lead.
The pharma sector, from State of A.P contributes more than 25% of the turn over of the total pharma sector turnover from Govt. of India.
To improve the current environmental management practices, is a major concern.<br>

Figure (A): No. of Pharmaceutical units in Andhra Pradesh (30%) Table 1: Nature and status of Pharma sector in the state of Andhra Pradesh Fig. (C) : Different types of environmental problems in three zones Figure (B) : Industries surveyed in three zones<br>

Total Prescriptions-227.No diagnosis, No age/sex, no Generic drugs prescription.
ZONE-I(62) ZONE-II(100) ZONE-III(65)
Male 23 46 33
Female 33 43 30
No Gender 0 07 02
No Diagnosis 36 47 14
Illegible Prescription 76 56 19
Not in Therapeutic 26 59 03

Drugs Index.
Antibiotic- 55 Prescriptions, Analgesics- 34 Prescriptions, Vitamins/Tonics-32 , PPI -34 , H2 Blockers-23.

Per Prescription cost Rs 332.00 its on higher side & of costly drugs for 392 prescription. Total value Rs 1,34,090.00 Survey findings in Pvt. Health Care Sector Prescription Analysis :<br>

Prescription Analysis : 150 patients purchased drugs from Hospital Pharmacy, 78 patients purchased from outside pharmacy.

In 133 prescriptions Lab Investigations has been done from Hospital Lab, 93 Lab investigations done from outside .In 63 lab prescriptions indicate facility is good in hospital whereas 130 prescription indicated outside labs facility are good.

1-2% prescriptions have asked Imaging Diagnostics.

Most irrationally prescribed drugs were:
i) Multiple Antibiotics Pro-biotic Used Along With most of the Antibiotics.
ii) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, arthritis (NSAIDs)
iii) PPI & H2 blockers used along with all Analgesics .
iv) Vitamins used with Antibiotics
v) Medication with no diagnosis is an irrational prescription/ drugs not in Therapeutic
Index/Illegible Prescription also an Irrational Prescription( Medication error high).
vi) No banned drugs were prescribed. Survey findings in Pvt. Health Care Sector<br>

Survey findings in Pvt. Health Care Sector 1. 14- CBMWTF in AP
2. BMW Rules- 60% Optimal,10%-Needs Improvement, 4% Regulatory Authorities to see, 16% Nil comments, 2% others.
3. Quality Assessment of BMW in Hosp. 52% Yes, 48% No.
4. Challenges in QA of BMW:35% Lack of awareness , 20% Segregation, 10% Storage Problem, 10% In situ Treatment, 10% High Cost of Treatment/Handling,4% Irregular Service by the waste collection vendor, 11% Lack of Funds.
5. Suggestion on BMWM;45% Training by SPCB, 25% Hospital need to be proactive , 10% BMWM/ Environment Department be made,10% others , 10% Champion HK on BMWM.
6. CSR Policy; 90% private HCI are aware . Large Hosp 100%,Medium Hosp 90% , Small hosp-10%. 7. CSR Practices; Large Hospitals; 60% It increase good will,20% its social responsibility, 20% Its business need.
Medium Hospitals; 50% Its for goodwill, 40% Social Responsibility,10% Business need.
Small Hospitals; 30% For Goodwill, 40% Social Need,20% Business Need , 10% others 8.Regulations,Compliances,Awareness- 87% follows Code of Conduct. 70% says it improves the services & trust among patients.
9. Code of Medical Ethics,2002;90% are aware, 10% needs further improvement.
10. UCPMP; 62% are aware.
11.NVG;70% are aware.
12.STP;70% are aware.
13. RUD;60% Yes it exists , 25% no , 15% No response.
14. Prescription Guidelines; 40% yes, 30% No , 30% no response.
15. Compliance Mechanism; 10% yes , 80% No ,10% Nil Response.
16.Prescription Audit; 60% yes , 15% no, 25% Nil Response.
17.Salary; 42% Fixed , 26% Pay per case , 32% FP + Case based fee.
18. Unethical Behavior;
Commercial Motives of Drs-24%
Incentive by Pharma-16%
Weak regulatory System-20%
Role of Pharma Associations-5%
Role of Hospital Associations-3%
Role of MCI-4%
Role of Hospitals-4%
Others-24%<br>

Figure A- Hospital Beds in Zones I,II & III Figure B – No. of private hospitals surveyed in Zones I,II & III Figure C – No. of Prescriptions collected in Zones I,II & III<br>

Recommendations - Pharmaceutical Sector To improve upon the GMP practices and environmental management practices in the pharma sector (Which is mandatory), has to be promoted by frequent free training programmes from state and central drug department personnel to enlighten the need and depth of these requirements.

Environmental pollution caused by the pharma industry and the associated negative impacts on the society in general, the surrounding localities in particular is an un-ending and un-resolved issue. May be Govt.of India, with revised industrial policies may insist and implement strictly by not promoting the creation of housing colonies with in the vicinity of the industries at any cost.

Govt.of India, may control and provide the critical resources such as, coal, water, power and land at affordable prices to make small to medium scale industries viable and healthy. Upon creation of such a healthy environment, Govt. as well as local NGO’s and voluntary organisations can insist to contribute their mite for social cause to up lift the society for better living and social status.

The current un-quantified and un-specified un-ethical practices in the marketing distribution chain, if identified and eliminated in a positive perspective can result in affordability for a common man for better health.

The associations and NGO’s do feel that Govt. should recognize such bodies as arbitrators to create a conducive environment between industry, regulator and Govt. authority.

The associations should voice out on critical issues facing by the industry such as power, VAT increase, coal etc,. to reduce the in put cost with an expectation to arrive a possible solution to the problem.<br>

Recommendations – Pvt. Health Care Sector Self Regulation by Private Hospital on all the issues of Triple Bottom.
Hospital Associations to be proactive & supportive , to ensure Private Health Care Equipment (HCE) is more responsible - inclusion of business responsibility clauses in the mandate of associations and periodic assessment with facilitation from Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Civil Society Organisations and community should take it as their civic responsibility towards monitoring , ethical & environmental concerns, spread awareness, rules, for common consumers.
Compliance protocol on recognising their business responsibility as part of the core business activity and creating incentives for adopting the same.
Capacity building of private HCI on voluntary guidelines – charting a sector specific roadmap
Policy directions by Stakeholders & regulators is a binding on HCI & be strictly applied , non clinical staff need to be empowered as clinicians are involved with patients. HCI should have their own policies based on domain documents. it should be read & signed by all functionaries.
Protocol of pre training of out sourced HK staff for handling of BMW. Service provider to ensure , a regulation be made.<br>

Recommendations - Pvt. Health Care Sector Department of Environment be made in Hospitals they should do In house monitoring/ control / training / reporting etc.
System of Award-Reward for best performers also staff following good practices also be rewarded.
Lab/Other area Liquid Waste Disposal & Soiled Linin management be strictly put in place.
Mutilation of Sharps , crushing of Expired drugs & mutilation of plastic in hospital be must.
Use of biodegradable bags for store/carriage of BMW.
In place of colored bag, a colored patch be put to minimize Volatile Organic Compound (VOC).
Chemists should only stock drugs not other items, half shop stock Generic Drugs. More shops on generic. Media should educate masses on Generics.
All silver catch cover of drugs should have permanent imprint of Date of Manufacture (DOM)/Date of Expiry (DOE) / batch No/Maximum Retail Price (MRP) & not ink print. It will help reuse of expired drugs.
HCI must understand the business module of CSR rather than only conducting charity camps.<br>

THANK YOU Engineering Staff College of India
Gachibowli
Hyderabad, AP
Email: ccc@escihyd.org / ccc.esci@gmail.com<br>