Medical colleges to only prescribe generic drugs

Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 8, 2013 8:47 AM IST

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has advised deans of all medical colleges to prescribe generic drugs, parliament was told on Tuesday.
The MCI has issued circulars to deans of all medical colleges, directors of post graduate institutes and presidents of state medical councils to give wide publicity to ensure compliance by doctors as far as possible in prescribing drugs with generic names, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad informed the Rajya Sabha in a written answer. The MCI has stated that it is not aware of doctors opposing the circular, he said.
Azad further clarified that MCI does not regulate manufacturing of drugs. The quality of drugs manufactured or imported is regulated under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

What are generic drugs?

They are drugs which have the same chemical composition as branded drugs. They are sold under their chemical name instead of the branded name and are usually cheaper. There has been a movement in recent years to bolster the generic drug scenario in the country and the Govt has even promised to provide them free at public health facilities. Thanks to lack of patent laws that don t recognise intellectual property rights, India is the leading manufacturer of generic drugs in the world and many developing countries are dependent on Indian pharmaceuticals for drugs to treat various diseases including HIV/AIDS,malaria and even cancer. They entered public consciousness last year when Aamir Khan discussed them on his reality show Satyamev Jayate.

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With inputs from IANS

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