NMC puts on hold rules for doctors to prescribe only generic medicines

Source: The post is based on the article “NMC puts on hold rules for doctors to prescribe only generic medicines”  published in Indian Express on 25th August 2023.

What is the News?

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has put on hold its new guidelines that made it mandatory for doctors to only prescribe generic drugs.

What were the guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission(NMC)?

NMC had imposed a directive mandating doctors to prescribe generic drugs instead of branded equivalents. 

In case of non-compliance, they can be penalized. For breaches, doctors could also receive warnings and mandatory participation in workshops and training sessions. 

Persistent violations of the directive could further lead to the suspension of their licenses.

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Why did the NMC issued these guidelines on generic drugs?

The NMC had justified the guidelines saying generic medicines on average are cheaper than branded ones, and may thus improve access to quality care. 

Why are doctors opposing NMC guidelines on generic drugs?

Powers of Civil Court: Doctors and pharma experts pointed out that guidelines gave the NMC and the state medical councils powers equivalent to a civil court. This could only be done by Parliament and not through regulations.

Difference in quality: Doctors pointed out that while firms manufacturing branded generics (out-of-patent drugs that are sold with a brand name) usually spend on research and follow US FDA-level processes. But many smaller firms making non-branded generics do not comply even with India’s more-relaxed ‘Schedule M’ norm.

Prescribing only generic drugs will prompt pharmacies to sell generic drugs at high-profit margins, disincentivizing firms that manufacture quality branded generics.