Bengal govt reins in chemotherapy under Swasthya Sathi to stop misuse

Chemotherapy drugs under Swasthya Sathi, the Bengal government's health cover, can henceforth only be prescribed by oncology units of government hospitals and specialised private hospitals that have radiation oncology, surgical oncology and medical oncology facilities under one roof, the health department has said. The decision was taken to prevent "overuse" of expensive chemotherapy drugs, which has adverse health and financial impacts on cancer patients and their families, health officials said.

Bengal govt reins in chemotherapy under Swasthya Sathi to stop misuse
Chemotherapy drugs under Swasthya Sathi, the Bengal government's health cover, can henceforth only be prescribed by oncology units of government hospitals and specialised private hospitals that have radiation oncology, surgical oncology and medical oncology facilities under one roof, the health department has said. The decision was taken to prevent "overuse" of expensive chemotherapy drugs, which has adverse health and financial impacts on cancer patients and their families, health officials said.