As per a directive issued by the leading medical authority, physicians will be required to prescribe generic drugs to patients. Failure to comply may result in penalties, including the potential suspension of their medical licenses.
The most recent announcement from the National Medical Commission (NMC) specifies that doctors must refrain from prescribing branded generic drugs.
Although doctors are currently obligated to exclusively prescribe generic drugs, the regulations issued by the Indian Medical Council in 2002 did not include any provisions for penalties.
According to the NMC guidelines, generic medicines are considerably more affordable, ranging from 30% to 80% cheaper than their branded counterparts. This shift towards prescribing generic medications could significantly reduce healthcare expenses and enhance access to high-quality medical care.
The regulation states, “Every registered medical practitioner (RMP) is required to write prescriptions using generic drug names clearly. Rational prescription practices should be followed, avoiding unnecessary medications and irrational combinations of drugs.”
In the event of violations, doctors might receive a warning to adhere more closely to the regulations or be required to participate in workshops or educational programs focusing on ethics, interpersonal relationships, and professional training.
For repeated violations, a doctor’s medical license may be temporarily suspended, as outlined in the regulations.
COMPARING GENERIC AND BRANDED DRUGS
The NMC defines generic medicines as “medications that are comparable to branded/reference products in terms of dosage form, strength, administration route, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.”
On the other hand, a branded generic drug is one that has lost its patent protection, manufactured by various companies, and sold under different brand names.
While these drugs might be less expensive than the patented branded versions, they are often more costly than the mass-produced generic alternatives. Regulatory oversight of prices for branded generic drugs is limited.
Medical practitioners should exclusively prescribe generic medicines available in the market and accessible to patients. The NMC regulations also encourage doctors to advocate for hospitals and local pharmacies to stock generic drugs.
Furthermore, doctors are expected to promote the purchase of medications from Jan Aushadhi Kendras and other generic pharmacy outlets, educate both medical students and the public about the equivalence of generic drugs to their branded equivalents, and actively participate in initiatives aimed at promoting access to and usage of generic medications.
PRESCRIPTION GUIDELINES FOR DOCTORS
According to the NMC’s directive, prescriptions must be clear and preferably written in capital letters to prevent misinterpretation. Whenever possible, prescriptions should be typed and printed to minimize errors
