Doctors to be punished if they don't prescribe only generic medicines? Read how media reports are misleading

On 3rd August, National Medical Commission issued new guidelines for Registered Medical Practitioners via a gazette notification. News agency Press Trust of India, Economic Times and The Indian Express published reports about the new guidelines suggesting that the NMC has made it ‘mandatory’ for doctors to prescribe generic medicines. In its post on X, PTI wrote, “All doctors must prescribe generic drugs, failing which they will be penalized and even their license to practice may also be suspended for a period, say NMC new regulations.” All doctors must prescribe generic drugs, failing which they will be penalised and even their license to practice may also be suspended for a period, say NMC new regulations — Press Trust of India August 12, 2023 Other media houses, including NDTV, Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Print and others, used a similar language. Their reports read, “All doctors must prescribe generic drugs, failing which they will be penalized and even their license to practice may also be suspended for a period, according to the new regulations issued by the National Medical Commission.” Source: Economic Times Source: NDTV OpIndia accessed the gazette notification of NMC dated 3rd August. No ‘highest level of commitment and obligation’ to prescribe generic medicines The guidelines urged the RMPs to encourage patients to buy medicines from Jan Aushadi Kendras and generic pharmacy outlets.