'Massive menace': Chemists refuse critical medicines to psychiatric patients

Bengaluru: Patients on psychiatric medication are facing significant difficulties in accessing their prescribed medicines in Bengaluru, even with valid prescriptions.

People shared their struggles with DH, citing the need to travel extensively across the city to obtain antidepressants, anxiety medicines, or mood stabilisers. These medications are typically not sold online or over the counter, compounding the problem.

Krithi (name changed), a media professional, recounted checking at least six pharmacies in South Bengaluru, including well-known chains, before finding anxiety medication for her father. Similarly, Thomas, a resident of Thanisandra, said only one pharmacy in his locality stocks his required medicines. “My prescription has been rejected if I was late by just a few days. Some chemists claim they cannot procure anxiety medicines at all,” he said.

Dr Shashidhar S Bilagi, a Bengaluru-based psychiatrist, described the situation as a "massive menace", revealing that at least two of his patients call weekly, unable to buy prescribed medicines. “Many chemists are judgmental and harass patients, either discouraging them from purchasing it or claiming they lack stock. Psychiatric medications must not be skipped, so such behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.

'Operational challenges'

Drug control officials pointed out that chemists are required to maintain detailed records of psychiatric medication sales, which many find cumbersome. This has led some pharmacies to stop stocking these medicines altogether, said MK Mayanna, president of the Bruhat Bengaluru Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association.

"There is also concern about fake prescriptions that chemists cannot easily authenticate. However, a valid but slightly dated prescription should still suffice, and we recognise this denial is an issue,” Mayanna added.

A dose of advice 

Dr Senthil Reddi, professor of psychiatry at Nimhans, attributed restricted access to strict regulations governing certain psychiatric medications.

He advised patients to:

Plan appointments in advance to secure repeat prescriptions.

Ensure they have at least two weeks’ worth of medicines to avoid interruptions.

Seek a repeat prescription from any registered clinician if appointments with their regular doctor are delayed, using a validated previous prescription.

Dr Reddi suggested that a standardised Universal Health ID could streamline this process, ensuring patients can access their medicines without the fear of misusing prescriptions across multiple pharmacies.