‘Docs to give drugs with generic names’

Jan 23, 2013 - TEENA THACKER |

Age Correspondent

In a move that will bring down the healthcare costs, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has directed doctors to prescribe drugs with generic names and called for rational prescription.

In their recent letter to the deans, principals of all medical colleges, state medical councils, the regulatory body said that every physician should as far as possible “prescribe drugs with generic names, and ensure that there is rational prescription and use of drugs,” it said. The doctors have been directed to comply with the regulation without fail.
While, India manufacturers generic drugs in most therapeutic categories but most of these medicines are sold as branded drugs which make them costlier.
The regulation, MCI officials believe will help bringing down the cost of drugs. The move gains significance as according to a 2008 WHO estimate, 65 per cent of Indians do not have access to modern healthcare. To change the trend, the Union health ministry had in 2010 proposed the hospitals to set up “Jan Aushadhi” stores to make generic drugs available to the patients. These stores are either run by the hospitals or NGOs.
Dr K.K. Talwar, head, Board of Governors (BoG), MCI said that it is an advice sent to the doctors so that people do not have to pay more.

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