In the past, there were no consequences for non-compliance, but the NMC has since issued a warning that failure to abide by the rules will result in consequences. I’m hoping this will have an impact.
Source: The South First
Additionally, it has been instructed that prescriptions must be written legibly and in large letters, if possible. Poorly written prescriptions can be confusing and occasionally lead to patients taking the wrong medications. In the past, it has also been advised to write readable prescriptions, although this advice has not been implemented.
Doctors will no longer be allowed to prescribe anything other than generic medications, unless the medication has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that a minor variation in dosage could have unfavourable effects. Additionally, the guidelines advised doctors to only administer logical, approved combinations and to use fixed-dose combinations sparingly.
Doctors have been instructed to inform the public that generic medications are just as effective as branded ones, to encourage pharmacies to stock them, and to promote the use of Jan Aushadhi Kendras and other generic drug retailers as places to purchase medications. The NMC must make sure that its rules are obeyed because it is the body that regulates the medical industry.
Patients’ out-of-pocket expenses will significantly change as a result of the recommendations’ implementation. Branded medications cost significantly more than generic medications, and pharmaceutical companies heavily advertise them commercially. Since doctors, pharmaceutical firms, and medical supply stores work together to market branded prescriptions, generic medications are frequently disregarded despite sharing the same composition, effects, side effects, and usage as branded medications.
Source: Zee Business
Motivated ads attempt to give the idea that generic medications are produced in settings where the highest standards are not upheld. There is also the argument that the quality of generic drugs varies widely. Because their profit margin is lower than that of branded pharmaceuticals, medical retailers are hesitant to stock them. Even the Jan Aushadhi stores don’t always have enough inventory. Since India is a leading producer of generic medications, it is important to enable easy access to them throughout the nation. To ensure that patients, especially the impoverished, are not taken advantage of in the use of pharmaceuticals, all implementation-related difficulties must be resolved.
What do you think about this? Comment below
