IMA: Demand to withdraw NMC rules on generic drugs, IMA writes letter to Union Health Minister

The Indian Medical Association has written a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking the withdrawal of the National Medical Commission (NMC) rules on mandatory prescribing of generic drugs till the quality of all drugs is ensured.

The Indian Medical Association also raised concerns over rules that bar doctors from attending conferences sponsored by pharma companies. She said that such prohibition needs to be reconsidered. It demanded that associations and organizations should be exempted from the purview of NMC rules. Members of the IMA and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance met Mandaviya on Monday and expressed their concern over the NMC rules.

The NMC, in its regulations regarding professional conduct of registered doctors, has said that all doctors must prescribe generic medicines, failing which they will be punished and their license can also be suspended for a period. It also asked doctors to avoid prescribing branded generic medicines.

The NMC rules also state that registered medical practitioners and their families should not receive any gifts, travel facilities, cash or monetary assistance. Under no pretext should they have access to entertainment provided by pharmaceutical companies or their representatives, commercial healthcare establishments, medical device companies or corporate hospitals.

The IMA has said in the letter that while the intention to ensure ethical conduct and fair training environment is reasonable, a direct ban on third-party teaching activities sponsored by pharmaceutical companies or the health system should be reconsidered.

In its letter, the IMA said that this is a matter of great concern to the IMA as it directly affects patient care and safety. It is believed that less than one percent of generic drugs manufactured in India are tested for quality. Patient care and safety is indispensable to both the government and the medical profession.