ISLAMABAD, March 25: The General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army has banned the prescription of 374 medicines in military hospitals, and has directed doctors to offer low priced drugs to the patients instead.

The AG Branch of the Army Medical directorate vide its letter number 74/570 dated 19th February 2004 issued specific directives to the military hospitals all over the country to carry out stock control of medicines. The letter said low priced medicines were to be given to the patients.

The letter in its sub clause (c) specifically said "in case of violation DDMS (deputy director medical services) will delete the issued items from the c/bill." It further said the Commandant CMH/concerned specialist would be responsible for the payment to the supplier in case of prescribing medicines placed on the banned list.

The letter, signed by Brigadier Shabbir Ahmed on behalf of the Surgeon General, directed specialists not to prescribe any medicines outside the approved list.

According to the directive, 374 medicines and 26 other surgical and radiology related drugs were put under the ban for prescription. When asked if the decision would affect the morale of the troops, military spokesperson, Director General ISPR, Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said, "This is purely internal matter of the army. There is no need for its discussion in the papers. It is not required. Army is more conscious of the morale of the troops than anyone else."