Centre Warns Govt Hospitals: Prescribe Generic Medicines Or Face Action
New Delhi: Central government has issued a warning to doctors at the government-run hospitals and CGHS wellness centers to follow the prescribed rules for issuing generic medicines, or else strict action would be taken. The order comes after a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare last July which said that despite court orders and relevant regulations of the Medical Council of India, generic medicines were not being prescribed by the majority of medical practitioners. The union government has also asked them to make sure that visits done by medical representatives of various pharmaceutical companies to hospitals' premises are completely stopped. According to the order, the doctors at hospitals, CGHS wellness centers, and polyclinics have been instructed time and again to only prescribe generic medicines. Despite this, it has been observed that doctors (including residents) in some instances continue to prescribe branded medicines. This has been viewed strictly by the competent authority, Director General of Health Services Dr. Atul Goel said in an office order issued on May 12. The order also asked all the heads of hospitals to make sure it was followed strictly by everyone. According to the written order, if anyone failed to comply, the government has threatened to take strict. What are generic medicines? Generic medicines are the affordable versions of branded drugs that are brought into the market once the original drug manufacturer's patent expires. These medicines have the same potency, quality, and implications and work exactly like the branded drug. They also contain the same active ingredient as brand-name medicines, however, are less expensive. The National Medical Commission Act of 2019 authorizes the appropriate state medical councils or the commission's Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) to take disciplinary action against a doctor who violates a provision of the aforementioned regulations. Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 1:59 am