DMCH, CMCH to face action for violating MCI guidelines

LUDHIANA: Failure to adhere to the guidelines of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with regard to prescribing generic drugs, that too preferably in capital letters, is going to cost dear to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here, as both these institutions were found to be violating the instructions in prescriptions given to patients in the outpatient departments (OPDs).

Copies of the prescription issued from the OPDs of CMCH and DMCH in Ludhiana.

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, July 30

Failure to adhere to the guidelines of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with regard to prescribing generic drugs, that too preferably in capital letters, is going to cost dear to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here, as both these institutions were found to be violating the instructions in prescriptions given to patients in the outpatient departments (OPDs).

Taking note of a complaint filed by the president of the Council of RTI Activists Rohit Sabharwal, the Punjab Government has directed the Director, Medical Education and Research, Punjab (vide memo no 16/47/2017-2SS3/2811 dated July 19, 2017) to take appropriate action against the two hospitals for violation of MCI guidelines in connection with issuing prescriptions of generic drugs.

In a complaint to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with copies to the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as the MCI, Sabharwal alleged that the OPDs of both CMCH and DMCH were violating directions of the MCI as far as prescribing generic drugs and writing the prescriptions in capital letters were concerned.

In this respect, the MCI has issued a circular letter (no MCI-211(2) (Gen)/2017-Ethics/104728 dated April 21, 2017) to all deans/principals of medical colleges, directors of all hospitals, presidents of all state medical councils, health secretaries of all the state and state directorates of health and medical education, drawing their attention to an amendment of Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.

The said Clause (1.5) amended in 2016 and notified in the Gazette of India on September 21, 2016, reads: “Use of Generic Names of Drugs: Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs. All Registered Medical Practioners under the IMA Act are directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the Regulations without fail.”

The copies of the complaint sent to the Prime Minister and the Punjab Chief Minister by Sabharwal were forwarded by the offices of the PM and the Punjab CM to the Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, for further necessary action.