Central Govt full stop to doctor-pharma nexus- Curtails MR visits in Govt hospitals

The direction came in the form of a recent office order issued by Dr Atul Goel, Director General Health Services (DGHS) and the Central Government Hospitals/CGHS Wellness Centers/ Polyclinics.

This comes in the light of the fact that all doctors across the country have been mandated by the erstwhile Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission (NMC)) to prescribe generic medicines only. However, the Central Government noted that in various Central Government Hospitals/CGHS Wellness Centers/ Polyclinics there were many doctors (including Residents) who continued to prescribe branded medicines.

Taking cognizance, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an office order directing all the head of the institutions to ensure strict compliance by the doctors working under them. The order read;

"It is to be noted that all doctors in the Central Government Hospitals/CGHS Wellness Centers/ Polyclinics have been instructed time and again to prescribe generic medicines ONLY. Despite this, it has been observed that doctors (including Residents) in some instances has continued to prescribe branded medicines. This has been viewed strictly by the competent authorities.

This may be noted by all head of institutions and they may ensure strict compliance by the doctors working under them if anyone continues to be non-complaint he/she shall be liable for further action," the order added.

The order further called for complete curtailment of visits of pharma company MRs to these institutions. The order said;

"Further, it may be ensured that visits of Medical Representatives (MRs) to hospitals premises are completely curtailed. Any information about new launch may be communicated by way of email only, " 

The Government has been working on cracking down the unethical doctor-pharma nexus since long and had earlier suspended two central government health scheme (CGHS) doctors for allegedly prescribing certain medicines in favour of a particular pharmaceutical company.

Also Read: Breaking Pharma Doctor Nexus: Union Health Minister Suspends 2 CGHS Doctors For Favouring One Pharma Company Drugs

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC in the draft Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2022, stated that the doctors should prescribe medicines with "generic"/"non-proprietary"/"pharmacological" names only.

The prescription guidelines that form an integral part of the Draft had mentioned, "Prescribe only those generic medicines that are available in the market and accessible to the patient."

Also Read: Doctors Should Write Generic, Non-Proprietary, Pharmacological Names Only: NMC Prescription Guidelines