Psychiatrists who are part of Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS), which is operating in about 27 states andUnion Territories, will soon be able to prescribe medicines. This thanks to the programmes upcoming integration with e-Sanjeevani platform, the Union health ministrys flagship telemedicine service.
Till the last week of April, Tele-MANAS, the nodal centre of which is Bengaluru-based Nimhans and which facilitates in-person and telephonic counselling, has handled one lakh calls. It was launched in October 2022.
However, as Tele-MANAS provided only for audio consultation, psychiatrists couldnt prescribe medicines and would ask those needing the same to visit in person. Telemedicine practice guidelines also mandate a video session for the prescription of drugs.