MCI issues show cause notices to Dayanand Medical college and CMC Ludhiana

Ludhiana: The Punjab Medical Council (PMC) has issued show cause notices to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and the Christian Medical College and Hospital(CMCH) for having violated provisions laid down in the Code of Medical Ethics, regarding the use of ‘generic’ name of drugs by all medical practitioners in their prescriptions. These include those issued in the outpatients' departments of the hospitals.

Issued on December 15, 2017, the notices have sought replies from the colleges within a period of 15 days from their date of issue.

The notices have been issued on the basis of a complaint filed by President, Council, RTI Activists- Rohit Sabharwal against individual practicing doctors of the region and the two leading hospitals.

In the complaint, the president has alleged that directions of the Medical Council of India conveyed vide its circular No. MCI-211(2) (Gen)/2017-Ethics/104728, regarding writing prescriptions in generic names of drugs, were being flouted by doctors, as well as, leading hospitals. Mr. Sabharwal in order to substantiate his allegations has also attached some prescriptions issued from the hospital OPDs along with the petition.

Through the circular issued by the MCI to Directors of all Hospitals, Presidents of the State Medical Councils, Deans and Principals of Medical Colleges, Directors of Medical Education and Health Services of all states, it was informed that clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations 2002 was amended in 2016 and notified on September 21, 2016.

The MCI circular says: “As per the amended provision (1.5 – Generic names of Drugs), every physician should prescribe drugs only in generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.”

The Council circular emphasizes that all take necessary steps to ensure the observance of these provisions of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations 2002 (as amended in 2016), in letter and spirit.

The circular also clarifies that suitable disciplinary action for violation of clause 1.5 of the Ethics Regulations will be taken against those who flout it.

It was also made clear in the circular that the State Medical Council concerned or the MCI would take suitable disciplinary action for violation of clause 1.5 of the Ethics Regulations, reports the Tribune.