Home / Legal Explainers / Health & Environment / Patient Rights / Patient Rights / Right to Choose Source for Medicines/Tests

Right to Choose Source for Medicines/Tests

Last updated on May 31, 2024

Patients have the right to decide where they want to buy medicines from or where they want to get tests done from.1.This ensures that no limit to a patient’s options while choosing pharmaceutical brands or medicines. For example, if a doctor forces you to buy overpriced medicines for the purpose of earning a commission, you have the right to refuse such medicines. Further, patients can get tests done from any diagnostic centre/laboratory accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL). You can check for a list of accredited laboratories here.

The doctor or hospital administration must inform patients regarding the information given above. No one can force a patient to buy medicines or do tests from a particular facility. Further, this should not result in unfair treatment if the patient decides to choose their own facility or medicine store.1

  1. Charter Patient Rights, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare [↩] [↩]

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 1 / 5. Vote count: 1

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Please share your feedback about this post!

Sharing feedback will help us improve our content. Tell us how!

If you want to keep your feedback confidential, please mention it in your feedback. If you have a question, please ask us in the comments or Ask Nyaaya sections.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Ask Nyaaya

Related Resources

Patient Rights in India

Patients' Rights include specific laws which guide medical health professionals in maintaining a standard of care and treatment of patients.

Obtaining Information About Medical Records or Reports

Patients have the right to obtain authentic information regarding their medical condition, method of treatment and options for treatment.

Right to Confidentiality, Dignity and Privacy

All medical professionals have to maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding the private details of the patient.

Right to Second Opinion

This right to second opinion protects the freedom of a patient to seek the medical care that the patient thinks is best and most appropriate.

Choosing Alternative Treatment Options

A patient has the right to choose the treatment course once the doctor has informed the patient of all the options.

Non-Discrimination Among Patients

Doctors and medical personnel cannot refuse treatment on the grounds of gender, sexuality, caste, religion, race or place of birth.