Key Points
New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday sought deferment of the implementation of the National Medical Commission's (NMC) regulation that mandates doctors to prescribe only generic drugs, saying the biggest concern with such medicines is the uncertainty regarding quality...
A statement issued by the IMA said that less than 0.1% of the drugs manufactured in India are tested for quality..
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...
"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..
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...
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