Prescribe generic drugs or face action, MCI tells doctors

Medical Council of India, the country’s apex medical regulator, has asked doctors to prescribe medicines with generic names only.

In a notice issued to all registered doctors, the regulator warned them of “suitable disciplinary action” if they fail to adhere to its guideline on prescribing the drugs.

As per the MCI notice, the drugs should only be in generic names, written legibly and preferably in capital letters.

“Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescrition and use of drugs,” said the circular issued to deans, principals of medical colleges, directors of all medical hospitals, and president of all state medical councils.

Recently, while inaugurating a multi-speciality hospital in Gujarat’s Surat, Prime Minister Narendra 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 the registered medical practitioners under the IMC Act are directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the regulations without fail,” said the circular.

The government is opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras, under Jan Aushadhi programme, to provide essential medicines at reasonable rates to the people.

According to last month figure, a total of 956 Jan Aushadhi stores have been opened across the country so far.