The Medical Council of India (MCI) has warned of disciplinary action against doctors if they do not start prescribing medicines using generic names.
The warning comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government would ensure a legal framework is created to make doctors prescribe generic, thereby, affordable drugs.
The MCI has also asked the medical practitioners to ensure that there is rational prescription and use of drugs, failing which “strict disciplinary action” will be taken.
The MCI reiterated in 2016 notification which amended Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 and mandating that the doctors prescribe medicines using generic names.
Modi warning
Recently, while inaugurating a multi-speciality hospital in Surat, Mr. Modi had said that the doctors write prescriptions in such a way that the poor people do not understand their handwriting and they end up buying medicines from the private stores at high prices.
“All registered medical practitioners under the IMC Act are directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the regulations without fail,” said the MCI circular, issued to the Deans, Principals of Medical Colleges, Directors of all the hospitals, Presidents of all State Medical Councils.
The government is also revising the National List of Essential Medicines of 2015 to include more medicines. The Jan Aushadhi programme, under which the government provides essential medicines at reasonable rates at specially established shops, is also being reinforced.
