New Regulations Mandate Generic Drug Prescriptions by Doctors in India to Cut Healthcare Costs

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued new regulations requiring all doctors to prescribe generic drugs, under the threat of penalties and potential suspension of their medical licenses. The regulations, announced on August 2, aim to tackle India's significant out-of-pocket spending on medications, a major part of public healthcare expenses. While doctors were previously obligated to prescribe generic drugs, the earlier regulations lacked penal provisions.

The NMC's guidelines highlight the value of generic medicines, which can be up to 80% less expensive than brand-name alternatives. It is hoped that this will help lower healthcare costs and increase access to high-quality care. The NMC also distinguishes between generic and branded generic drugs by categorising generic medicines as equivalent to brand/reference listed items. When the patents on certain medications expire, they are replaced with generic versions that are produced and sold under a variety of brand names.

According to the rules, RMPs can't just write up any old name for a medication and expect patients to know what it is. Doctors who do not comply may be warned or required to attend workshops on ethics and continuing education. If they break the rules repeatedly, their licence to practise medicine could be suspended.

Prescriptions should be clear, and preferably typed in all capital characters, to avoid any confusion. The NMC offers a sample prescription in order to guarantee reasonable prescriptions. It is the responsibility of RMPs to increase demand for, and the availability of, generic medications in healthcare facilities and community pharmacies.

Patients should be encouraged to use generic pharmacies like Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and both medical students and the general public should be made aware of the similarities between generic and brand-name drugs.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has policies in place to encourage the use of generic medications, which are less expensive and therefore more widely available in India. The NMC's goal is to ensure that patients obtain high-quality care without incurring unnecessary costs by standardising generic prescriptions.

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