Commissions From Patients, Medical Stores For Ancient Ayurveda Doctor!
Commissions from medical stores and pharma companies for Ayurveda doctor are quite prevalent these days. But did you know that the system was existent since ancient Ayurveda times? Read more to find out.
Dhanvantari Bhaga
Dhanvantari Bhaga – Doctor’s commission by patient in the form of medicine share.
In ancient times, Ayurvedic doctor himself was preparing medicines for patients. Usually, patients with his relatives used to come from far distances to consult the doctor.The doctor would diagnose the disease and make medicines for him.
While he was preparing medicines, he was entitled to retain certain percentage of the medicine so that he can use in other poor and needy patients. The percentage of such a type of commission depended upon dosage form.
In case of Rasaushadhis – herbo-mineral preparations like Bhasma etc – it was 50 %
In case of herbal oils and ghee – Taila and Ghrita and for herbal jams (Lehyams) it is one eighth part. (12.5 %)
In case of Loha (Iron preparations), Churna (herbal powders), Vataka (tablets) – it was one seventh part. (14.28 %)
Rudrabhaga
Rudrabhaga – Doctor’s commission by Medical shop owner.
In later periods, as medical system evolved, there were medical stores. which used to give commission to the doctor based on the amount of medicine prescribed to patients. This percentage was called as Rudrabhaga. And it was one eleventh part. (9.1 %)
Both these references are found in an Ayurveda text book called Rasa Ratna Samucchaya – written in 13th Century.
An interesting thing to note is, both these two types of commissions are named after God’s name. Indicating that doctor was considered to be God’s agent and was believed to be honest to his patients.
9 comments on “Commissions From Patients, Medical Stores For Ancient Ayurveda Doctor!”
Sumathi
There is no harm in sharing information of a general nature, once in a while. This particular article helped me see that the practice of giving commission to a doctor has been there since medieval times. As long as the doctor does not prescribe a particular medicine with an eye on the commission he is likely to get, it’s fine.
My experience with Ayurveda doctors is that they (be it an individual or an organisation) charge nominally for consultation whereas the cost of medicines seems exorbitantly high. But the medicines did work really well for me. So, I didn’t mind the cost even though I didn’t understand the logic behind such high pricing. Would feel obliged if you could let me know why Ayurveda medicines are so expensive.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Thanks.
Trust me, Ayurvedic medicines are really costly because of ever increasing prices of raw materials (herbs). The margin that a medical shop owner gets from selling an Ayurveda product of Rs 100 MRP would be just 5 – 10 rupees. Whereas in Allopathy, the same would be 20 – 30 rupees.
Commission that an Ayurveda doctor may receive from a company can not be compared at all to what Allopathic doctor gets. It is so minimal. I would say, it is not even 5 % of the Allopathy.
Sumathi
Thanks for clarifying.
tarun
Sumathi sir would like to know whether you got a monthly package from a doctor & he charged one time consultation fee or you are taking medicines from outside ?
If you got a monthly package then the cost of medicines would be higher as they charge for their marketing, air conditioned offices etc & above all they think of us as fools who would keep on giving them the money that they are demanding. My experience with ayurveda says that it’s cheaper to buy medicines from outside on which I get a rebate of 10 % also on MRP. But doctors who are giving monthly packages charge more than the product’s worth.