Mid Level Medical practitioner: New Proposed Clause in National Medical Commission Bill

The Bill further adds that a Separate Register shall be maintained by the proposed Board of Ethics of the National Medical Commission similar to that of the allopathic practitioners. Those included in the register will have limited drug prescription rights in settings specified by the NMC as well as in hospital settings such as ICUs under medical doctors' supervision.

It is reported that those who qualify as mid-level medical practitioners include non-MBBS medical professionals such as a nursing practitioner who has done a specific nursing course like tertiary nursing care; pharmacists, physician assistants, optometrists, among others, ministry sources said. These practitioners will be specifically listed by the NMC.

Tribune adds that the proposed amendment has already been passed by the Cabinet and will be the part of the official amendments that would be introduced in the parliament. Ironically, a recent amendment to the Bill called for removal of AYUSH- MBBS bridge course clause that implied giving prescription power of modern medicines to AYUSH practitioners. The removal came after the proposal had met with staunch opposition form the allopathic medical fraternity.

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