Question : Generic Medicines

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the existing rules/guidelines to regulate medical ethics and conduct to be followed by the doctors along with the mechanism to ensure their compliance and enforcement in the country;

(b) whether the Government has noted instances of misconduct and unethical practices such as prescription of branded medicines instead of Generic medicines by doctors, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon against the erring doctors; and

(c) the steps taken to ensure doctors prescribe only Generic medicines and curb promotion and advertisement of branded drugs by doctors in connivance with the medicine companies?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (c): Health is a State subject and no such data is maintained centrally. However, Clause 1.5 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drug. Further, Medical Council of India (MCI) has issued Circular dated 21.04.2017 vide which all the Registered Medical Practitioners have been directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions. The MCI or the appropriate State Medical Councils have been empowered to take disciplinary action against a doctor for violation of the provision of the aforesaid Regulations. As and when complaints are received against the violation of code of ethics for doctors, such complaints are referred by MCI to the concerned State Medical Councils where the doctors/medical practitioners are registered.
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