IMA docs to write both generic and branded drugs on prescription

doctors of the Indian Medical Association in Lucknow will write generic as well as branded medicine names in prescription and leave the decision with the patients to opt and buy.

“Branded drugs are costly, but doubts about quality of generic drug is often raised. Hence we have decided to leave it on the patients to decide while we write both generic and branded drug names,” said Dr PK Gupta, president of the IMA’s Lucknow chapter after a general body meeting of the members.

The doctors in the meeting praised the efforts of the prime minister to bring down price of branded drugs and said the government should ensure quality in generic drugs and ensure that good manufacturing practices are adopted strictly.

“The government should ensure that only a doctor with medical degree prescribes these drugs and it is sold against prescription from a medical store running with pharmacist,” said Dr Gupta.

ASSOCIATION WRITES TO MAMATA BANERJEE

Doctors from IMA, Lucknow have written a letter to chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee while stating that several clauses in the Clinical Establishment Act are severely harsh.

In West Bengal the notification for implementation of the Act has been issued.

“Clause 34 says that any doctor violating the condition of registration and license can be imprisoned for up to three years. This and several other clauses are very harsh and need review,” said Dr PK Gupta.

In the two-page letter to the West Bengal chief minister, the doctors from Lucknow have demanded a review of the decision to implement the act.

“We wish to communicate that for a doctor to work, the environment should be comfortable. Rules have to be honoured but they should not be so harsh that they create fear even before starting a clinic,” he said.

Many doctors in Lucknow tied black badges to protest against implementation of the act in West Bengal.