Prescribe generic medicines only, GMC doctors told

Amritsar, July 17

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Government Medical College (GMC) doctors have been instructed to write the generic names of the salts and not brand names of the medicines on the prescription slips of patients.

The GMC Principal has issued a notice in this regard and asked the heads of the departments and unit incharges to ensure compliance of the orders. The orders have come after a recent visit of the state Health Minister, who had pointed out the issue.

The minister had expressed that the generic names of the salts should be written on the prescription slips. For long, a perception has been building that a section of the doctors prescribe the brand names of the companies which provide incentive to them.

Medical representatives of pharmaceutical companies can be seen roaming around in the hospital during the working hours to market their products. It is no secret that these representatives often use unfair means, including gifts and money, to influence doctors.

The move will help check the exploitation of poor patients, who cannot buy medicines of costly brands prescribed by the doctors.