The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has asked Medical Council of India (MCI), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the central ministries of Health and Law and also all the state governments to prevent the doctors from misusing the Red Cross symbol in the country. Responding positively, DCGI has issued circulars to all state drugs control departments asking the pharmacists and chemists to stop the misuse of the symbol and stick on to their own symbols. Only military medical units and Red Cross Movement normally use Red Cross Symbol all over the world.

Speaking to Pharmabiz.com, Manish Chaudary, information officer, IRCS said that the society is engaged in a persistent effort to create awareness among the doctors and medical establishments across the country on the misuse of Red Cross symbol. He said that about eight state governments have responded to the Red Cross request and appealed to the respective medical organizations and health authorities to stop the misuse of the symbol. The Centre had passed a Geneva Convention Act in 1960, which prohibits the use of Red Cross symbol by medical practitioners in the country. India is also a signatory to the Geneva Convention 1949, the fourth chapter of which calls for an exclusive use of the symbol for the above-mentioned categories.

According to Indian laws, misuse of the symbol can invite a fine of Rs. 500, though there is no strict implementing agency for the same. Chaudary said the society has sent appeals to both Health and Law Ministries to get a clear solution for the problem. "When the Health Ministry itself is misusing the symbol, how can we expect them to implement the provisions of the Law?" he asked. Meanwhile the MCI has informed the society that 'the council had never instructed the doctors to use the symbol and they are doing it on their own". The society expects MCI to send circulars to all state level councils and help them in putting an end to the misuse of the symbol.

Red Cross Society is also trying to bring the Union Law and Health Ministries to the same platform to discuss the issue in their presence. Chaudary informed that the misuse is taking place in other countries but not in ' such a large scale'. The DCGI circular was sent to the state departments on February 20, 2002.

Pharmabiz has already reported that the society has approached the Karnataka branch of the Indian Medical Association and the State health department seeking strict implementation of the central Act (http://www.pharmabiz.com/newsfeat/pr827.asp).