In a bid to further promote the use of generic drugs and also to encourage the rational use of drugs, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has asked the doctors to prescribe drugs with generic names.

The MCI has issued circulars to the deans of all medical colleges, directors of Post Graduate Institutes and presidents of state medical councils to give wide publicity to ensure compliance by doctors to the clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.

The clause contains provisions that every physician should, as far as possible, prescribe drugs with generic names and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.

“The MCI has stated that it is not aware of doctors opposing the circular. Further, MCI does not regulate manufacturing of drugs. The quality of drugs manufactured or imported is regulated under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics (D&C) Act,” said Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Parliament recently on the issue of MCI and the Government promoting generic drugs.

The Government has taken several measures to promote generic drugs and also bring in more clarity to the concerned laws. It has published a draft notification GSR 748(E) dated 5.10.2012 for inviting comments of stakeholders on amending the rules pertaining to the conditions for the grant or renewal of licences, for manufacture of drugs under the D&C Rules, 1945 to facilitate approval of drug formulations containing single active ingredient by the State Licensing Authorities in their proper/generic name only.

The Ministry has also taken up the matter with the State/UT Governments requesting them to formulate a time bound action plan for promotion of generic drugs. For promoting prescription of generic drugs by the medical practitioners, this Ministry has issued circulars to the directors, medical superintendents, chief medical officers, in-charges of all central government hospitals in Delhi. It has also sent similar instructions to all the CGHS-accredited hospitals across the country.

“At the hospital level also, circulars by medical superintendents of hospitals in Delhi have been issued from time to time encouraging/motivating doctors to prescribe generic drugs. All the State/UT Governments have also been requested to take similar steps in their Hospitals/Health Institutions,” according to the Health Ministry.