MCI Allows Branded Medicines Now
Dr. Manish M MD
Major hospitals in the city can prescribe branded medicines
along with their generic equivalents. According to a source, the Medical
Council of India (MCI) recently approved the demand of Association of Hospitals
(AOH), a body of 53 major hospitals in the city, which complained about the
risks of unqualified chemists dispensing generic medicines. The MCI had issued
a circular on April 21, instructing doctors to prescribe drugs with generic
names as much as possible. The move was to benefit millions of poor people as
branded medicines are extremely expensive. “Every physician should prescribe
drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she
shall ensure there is a rational prescription and use of the drug,” the
circular had read. “As observed, most pharmacies are run by unqualified
chemists who might prescribe medicines that are similar or choose manufacturers
with higher commission rate and not keep the effectiveness in mind. Thus, we
had requested the MCI to allow us to also prescribe branded medicines along
with generic ones,” said the president of AOH. However, doctors said they have
already been prescribing medicines with their branded names and also mentioning
the generic equivalents. “Eventually what matters is patient care. Secondly, it
is not feasible for all doctors to remember all the generic variations of a
certain medicinal component,” said CEO
of A famous Hospital in Bombay. Experts
said physicians have been prescribing branded drugs along with generic ones.
However, MCI approval will give legal protection to the practice. “MCI’s
attempt has failed because of no mechanism to ensure implementation. If MCI
agree to the demands of AOH on paper, it will further nullify the order
completely because pharmacies will officially start dispensing only branded
medicines again,” said an expert from the health ministry. The MCI had issued a
circular on April 21, instructing doctors to prescribe drugs with generic names
as much as possible. Source : Hindustan times, Mumbai Edition. What is your
opinion?
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