Question : Supply of Generic Medicines

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

(a) whether there is a gap between demand and supply of Generic Medicines across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof for each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any survey to check the implementation of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation, 2002 in the country and if so, the details and outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether a nexus between the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing costlier and branded medicines instead of generic medicines has come to the notice of the Government during the said period; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, hospitalwise and the reasons therefor along with the corrective action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): No.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): The Medical Council of India (MCI) in its regulations namely the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 under Clause 1.5 has prescribed as under:-
“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 drugs”.
(d) & (e): The Department of Pharmaceuticals has informed that there were some reports of pharmaceutical companies indulging in unfair practices to promote their medicines. The Department of Pharmaceuticals announced a “Uniform Code of Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices (UCPMP)” with effect from 1st January, 2015 to curb unfair practices.
………..