**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns regarding the prescription of branded medicines over generic alternatives by doctors. The Indian Medical Council Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics Regulations, 2002, mandates that physicians prescribe drugs using generic names, legibly and preferably in capital letters, ensuring rational drug use. Circulars from the former Medical Council of India (MCI) directed all Registered Medical Practitioners to comply with these provisions. The Directorate General of Health Services instructed all Central Government hospitals to prescribe only generic medicines, with similar instructions issued to Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) doctors and Wellness Centres. The National Medical Commission Act, 2019, authorizes State Medical Councils or the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) to take disciplinary action against doctors violating these regulations. States have been advised to ensure the prescription of generic drugs and conduct regular prescription audits within public health facilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy in India.
Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question regarding prescription of branded medicines.
Smti. Anupriya Patel: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer to the question.
Indian Medical Council Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics Regulations, 2002: Regulations outlining the ethical guidelines for medical practitioners in India, including prescribing drugs with generic names.
Medical Council of India (MCI): The erstwhile regulatory body for medical education and practice in India, which issued circulars regarding generic drug prescriptions.
Directorate General of Health Services: An attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, responsible for implementing health programs, and has directed Central Government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines.
Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): A health scheme providing medical facilities to Central Government employees, pensioners and their dependent family members.
National Medical Commission Act, 2019: An act that established the National Medical Commission and empowers State Medical Councils or the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) to take disciplinary action against doctors for violating regulations.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2170
TO BE ANSWERED ON1STAUGUST, 2025
PRESCRIPTION OFBRANDED MEDICINES
†2170.SHRIBABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government is aware that doctors generally prescribe branded medicines
instead of mentioning the name of the salt or formula, due to which patients have no option
but to purchase expensive medicines from branded companies in the country and if so, the
detailsthereof; and
(b) the concrete steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that doctors
prescribe generic medicines or mentionthe name of the salt instead of branded medicines?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) & (b): Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and
Ethics) Regulations, 2002prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic
names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is rational
prescription anduse of drug. Further, the erstwhile Medical Council of India(MCI) hadissued
Circulars vide which all Registered Medical Practitioners have been directed to comply with
the aforesaid provisions.
The Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Central Government hospitals to
prescribe generic medicines only. Similar instructions also have been issued to prescribe
drugs with generic name legibly’ toall Central Government Health Scheme(CGHS) Doctors
andWellnessCentres.
The National Medical Commission Act, 2019, empowers the appropriate State Medical
Councils or the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical
Commission to take disciplinary action against a doctor for violation of the provision of the
aforesaid Regulations. Further, States have been advised to ensure prescription of generic
drugs andconductregularprescription auditsinpublic healthfacilities.
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