Dose of Scepticism

Centre’s Notice on Using Generic Names of Drugs in Prescriptions Lacks Clarity, Say Experts
 

- Namita Kohli

On April 17, while inaugurating a private hospital in Surat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced there would soon be a law to ensure that doctors prescribed only ‘generic’ drugs. A day later, the Union ministry of health and family welfare released a notice asking doctors to follow the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) existing guidelines on using generic names of drugs in prescriptions.

According to MCI rules, “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.” The words “legibly and preferably in capital letters” were added after an amendment last year. Following the PM’s statement, the MCI, too, reiterated that doctors follow this rule “without fail”.

The announcement, ostensibly to disrupt the pharma-doctor nexus, has become controversial in light of several issues raised by experts, most of whom support the cause of affordable care. The drug market in India is dominated by branded generics, like the several branded versions of paracetamol such as Crocin, Calpol and Pacimol.

Within the branded versions of the same generic, at times, the price differential can be significant, say doctors. “In that context, it is unclear whether the government wants doctors to prescribe generic names of drugs or the cheapest version of the branded generic,” says Dr Ashwin Kamath, a Manipal-based pharmacologist.