Though I was encountering the issue of issuing prescription from the hospital for market brands,it had not gone into my mind as a study subject. The visit to the wards and similar feedback from every where made me to think bit seriously.

I listed the reasons;

1. To meet the passion of patients from middle class and above middle class,

2. To those who shy away from the idea of standing in Que to collect their medicines.

3. To the patients who complain on not getting the relief with the hospital medicine. Some doctors themselves don't have confidence on the drugs supplied from the hospital.

4. To please medical representatives

5. To the rich patients who can afford to purchase

likewise there could be many . . . .

But the Government policy had been that;

"No prescription should be issued for market brands" when a generic equivalent is available and it was permitted only on very occasions".

Since that was a beginning of my career, I didn't know much about state therapeutic committee and purchase procedure.

My knowledge was raw and generic like that of any fresher from a Pharmacy college - that means molecule being the same and standards being the same there should nt be any variance in quality of medicine.

So I decided to study the issue to know how genuine it is, if the complaint is on the quality.

For this purpose, I started studying the issue bit seriously but carefully not to alarm any one.

In the meanwhile, the District Surgeon of District Mc Gann hospital Shimoga contacted me and requested for inputs to start an I V Fluids manufacturing pharmacy in his hospital.

I made one or two trips to study the accommodation available and additional facility to be created.

After few months, I received marching orders on transfer to report to the District Surgeon, Govt District Mc Gan hospital, Shimoga.

By that time, I had developed too much of sentimental attachment with the Govt District Wenlock hospital Mangalore and with all the doctors and staff and particularly the pharmacists and group D employees of my pharmacy.

District Wenlock hospital Mangalore was a medical college hospital with about 650 beds spanned on either side of the Railway station road and facing two major traffic junctions viz; Hampanakatta junction and Tajmahal hotel junction.. An exclusive bridge over the road was connecting the OPD with ward and administrative block. I was given a residential quarters for my stay and I had formed a ball-badminton team.

My tenure at shimoga Mc Gann hospital started on a low key.

Most of my time was devoted for preparing the layout for pharmacy I V fluids manufacturing unit and equipment design and specification.

Except the District Surgeon Dr Girigowda all were strangers and since my accent of talking kannada had undergone change with influence of mangaloreans

The RMO whose name Dr Rajashekhar [if I my memory is correct was person who used to talk always of very high profile on everything.

I cannot forget the way he was attending to the ward indents. Like a batsman in cricket, he used to be ever ready to sign and push back the indent register even before the register was placed on his table! this is in lighter vein. But I regard and respect him even now for his zeal and enthusiasm.

Some how I was maintained at a distance by all in the hospital. I used to spend most of my time with some of the office clerical staff, stores pharmacists and staff and two or thrice a day with the district surgeon.

It took more than perhaps 2 months for me break the regional barrier and to make every one understand that I was not a Mangalorean but a native of Shimoga only.

Slowly one by one Doctors started smiling at me wish me gracefully.

But, I was cautious.

District Surgeon Dr Girigowda found me very useful for stores management and certain other official and professional works.

Once he had to attend a seminar / workshop on hospital cleanliness.He called me and a tutor / lecturer of the nursing school and requested us to give an independent write up to talk about.

My write up which started like this;

"Dirt accumulates more in the dirty area
"Brightness minimizes the dirt"

- some how impressed him very well and used this statement as opening remark.

He used to take me round to show the stores and asked me to help in better organization of stocks. etc

Having known the delicate sensitive issue involved, I diplomatically suggested him to put a word to RMO to use my service if he wants.

It worked. I had a call from RMO and he asked me whether I was interested in taking over the stores.

I said NO, I have I V fluids project on hand over which I have to concentrate. But am ready to help if he desires.

RMO was pleased! I could see happiness behind his face. From that day, he used to call me for tea and for a company to talk!

On many issues District Surgeon was discussing with me before approving some of the major indents of the stores.

I used to sincerely with no bias analyze the indent to appraise him on the needs. But I was careful not to comment if he had any particular preference in purchase.

The hospital had the tradition of holding monthly clinical meeting of all doctors.

One day District Surgeon called me and said Mr Bhagavan, please don't go home we have Clinical meeting here today.

I was surprised and asked him Sir, it is the meeting of Doctors, what I would do there?

He said Don't worry, just sit, have tea-biscuits and go.

I said Ok.