Prescription Audit Alert: Doctors pulled up for Non-Compliance to NMC norms in Andhra
Generic Prescription Norms
Vijayawada: Taking cognisance of the instances of many doctors in the State not adhering to the National Medical Commission's (NMC) directive to prescribe drugs using generic names, the Director of Medical Education (DME) has instructed all the Principals of Government Medical Colleges and Superintendents of Government General Hospitals to ensure that the doctors follow the norms.
Reiterating the need for compliance, the Director of Medical Education Dr DV Lakshmi Narasimham has instructed, "Doctors must use generic names as mandated under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956."
As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, the hospital authorities have been directed to sensitize doctors, monitor prescriptions, and maintain compliance records. Directions have also been issued to the Superintendents of Government General Hospitals to form prescription audit committees and conduct audits at least once every two months.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC in the recently released draft Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2022, stated that the doctors should prescribe medicines with "generic"/"non-proprietary"/"pharmacological" names only.
Consequently, State Governments in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab had directed the doctors in the concerned States to prescribe only generic names of drugs to the patients.
Finally, releasing the National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioners Regulations 2023, on August 3, 2023, NMC encouraged doctors to prescribe generic medicines.
Chapter 1 Section 8 of the NMC RMP Regulations 2023 states,
"Prescribing Generic Medicines: Every RMP should prescribe drugs using generic names written legibly and prescribe drugs rationally, avoiding unnecessary medications and irrational fixed-dose combination tablets. (L1 and/or L2)(Generic Drugs and Prescription guidelines)."
According to section 12 (b) of the said regulations state: "RMP can prescribe or supply drugs, remedies, or appliances as long as there is no exploitation of the patients. Drugs prescribed by RMP or bought from the pharmacy for a patient should explicitly state the generic name of the drug. (L2)"
Further, Guidance to RMPs states, "Prescribe drugs with “generic”/“non-proprietary”/“pharmacological” names only."
More importantly, the code of Conduct laid stress on generic prescriptions by doctors only, making violation of the same a punishable offence where punishment can lead to suspension of licence for up to 30 days.
However, these regulations were opposed by the medical fraternity and IMA had earlier demanded deferring the implementation of the NMC regulations that make it mandatory for doctors to prescribe generic drugs, stating the biggest impediment to such medicines is the uncertainty about their quality. Stating that less than 0.1 per cent of the drugs manufactured in India are tested for quality, the association mentioned in a statement, “This step should be deferred till the government can assure the quality of all the drugs released into the market. Patient care and safety are not negotiable.”
After facing severe opposition regarding the regulations, the Health Ministry intervened and NMC put these regulations on hold.
