MCI Notification- Doctors would have to write medicines in capital letters

Prescribe and write medicines in capital letters only : MCI

To help the patients avail cheaper medicines rather than branded medicine the doctors would have to write the medicine generic name in English in capitals from now onwards. This notification was issued by the medical council of India New Delhi last month. The Central government has made amendments to Indian medical council regulations act as per 2016. The doctors would have to write the generic name of medicines in capitals for example if someone has fever then the doctor has to write paracetamol instead of Cronin. 

Differences between generic and branded 

Generic medicine is cheaper as it is not associated with any brand. In 2002 MCI had appealed doctors to write generic names of medicines but this became a big fight at that time. According to Indian journal of medical ethics 2007 report companies make two kinds of medicines ie generic and branded. But both have similar composition, quality, and performance. There is no difference in the process of making them also. The companies don't spend on any marketing or branding of generic medicines and sell them at a little profit. For writing branded medicines the companies give doctors gifts and commissions. This creates a price hike. Though national drug price control authority keeps a tab on prices from time to time. 

To give respite to patients the government has decided to open 3000 Jan aushadhi Kendra in the first phase. These centers will only sell generic medicines at low cost. At present, the share of branded medicines in the market is 75 thousand crore rupees whereas generic medicines have a market of 8 thousand crore rupees. The chemist will have the power to give generic medicines to patients even if they have brought a branded prescription. A software is being created for the same wherein as soon as the branded medicine name is put it will show its equivalent generic medicine name and price. 

MCI Notification Doctors would have to write medicines in capital letters