A statement issued by the IMA said that less than 0.1% of the drugs manufactured in India are tested for quality. In this backdrop, the association has urged the government and NMC to intervene immediately.
As per the notification dated August 2, the NMC in its “regulations relating to professional conduct of registered medical practitioners” stated that doctors must prescribe generic drugs, failing which they will be penalised and even their licence to practise may be suspended.
Calling it an “ill-advised” step taken by NMC on the issue of generic drugs, the IMA’s statement said it is concerned since this directly impacts patients’ care and safety.
According to IMA, the regulation is not in the interest of patients.
“The measure is shifting the choice from a medical practitioner who is primarily concerned, trained and responsible for the patient’s health than a chemist/person sitting in a chemist shop, who is selling drugs. This naturally wouldn’t be in the best interest of the patient,” the IMA said.
It said that if doctors are not allowed to prescribe branded drugs, then these drugs should not be approved. “We should refrain from just cost-cutting, irrespective of quality treatment,” IMA said in the statement.
The IMA said that if the government is serious about implementing generic drugs, it should issue licences only for generics and not to branded drugs, while ensuring quality of the generic drugs.
“Making quality brands available in the market but disallowing doctors who are responsible for patients’ health from prescribing them seems dubious,” IMA said in its statement.
