E-DRUG: Prescriptions in Generic name for Rational Use of Medicines !
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Dear E Druggers,
Recently Government of India has instructed all state Government & UTs to ensure that "Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs"
as per Notification No. MCI-211(2)/2016(Ethics)/131118 dtd. 08.10.2016 vide recent D.O.Letter No. 7(13) 2014-NHM-1 dtd. 18th April 2017.
This instruction was further supported by a notification by MCI vide No. MCI-211 (2) (Gen.)/2017-ethics dated. 21.04.2017 amending clause 1.5 of the MCI (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations 2002.
The notification instructed all Registered Medical Practitioners under the MCI Act to comply this instruction. This notification also warned if any doctor found violating this instruction concerned State Medical Council (SMC) / Medical Council of India (MCI) will take suitable disciplinary action against the offender as per the provision under clause 1.5 of Ethics Regulation.
This step is one step ahead towards improving access to medicines. In addition to this Standard Treatment Guidelines required to be developed by the Country / State / individual health care set up and a rational price control mechanism require to be adopted for improving access to Medicines.
Health care activists are happy with this development and expect some more stringent steps by the Govt. and regulatory agencies to improve access to medicines.
Dr. Subhash C. Mandal
Regulatory Pharmacist
Kolkata
India
"Dr. Subhash C Mandal" <subhash.mandaldr@gmail.com>