In what could be a major forward looking move by a healthcare provider to make certain doctors adopt generic names in every prescription, Bengaluru-based Columbia Asia Hospitals has now developed 'Care 21’ software. It is designed to simplify a doctor’s task in recalling all generic drug names. The names of entire generic drugs are easily accessible in a systematic manner with 'Care 21'.

“We at Columbia Asia hospitals are tech savvy. Our ‘Care 21’ software is developed in-house by our engineers. The moment the doctors start writing the name of branded drugs, it automatically notifies the generic name. Hence, the software helps to pick-up generic form of drug and helps in implementing it across the chain of our hospitals,” Dr. Sunil Rao, senior vice president operations (South), Columbia Asia Hospitals, told Pharmabiz.

“Our hospital has been already prescribing generic drugs even before the Prime Minister Modi’s announcement on his government’s efforts to come out with a legal framework to make doctors advise drugs in this category. As per the Medical Council of India (MCI) notification to pen down prescription in generic names instead of recommending brand names, doctors from Columbia Asia have been implementing this from March 2017 which is one month before even the government indicated the need to prescribe only generic drugs to make it affordable for patients,” he added.

“As per the MCI notification, doctors should try to prescribe drugs in generic form. It benefits a section of society that cannot afford branded drugs. We see the Union government initiative of Jan Aushadhi is in line with MCI notification and PM’s directions,” said Dr. Rao.

Also, pharmaceutical companies produce branded generic drugs, which are more authentic in terms of the chemical composition and various other norms like WHO GMP certification among others. Now in our view, all the generics do not work in an effective manner whereas there are some patented drugs manufactured by companies which are specifically for critically ill patients, he noted.

“However, in general, patients will get benefited where cost is involved and not compromising on the quality. For critical patients suffering from sepsis or in post angioplasty phase and emergencies like heart attack, branded drugs have an edge in the prescription,” said Dr Rao.