Lok Sabha Question No. 882 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Prescribing Generic Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: HARI MANJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 882 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## Prescribing Generic Medicines

## †882. SHRI HARI MAJHI:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  promote  and encourage  doctors  to  prescribe  generic  medicines  as  these  medicines  are cheaper than branded medicines;
- (b) the details of the efforts being made to open Jan Aushadhi Stores in all of the medical colleges, district hospitals and private hospitals;
- (c) whether  Indian  Medical  Association  and  Indian  Medical  Council  have  been consulted in order to promote the use of generic medicines in the country; and
- (d) if so, the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) In  order  to  promote  generic  medicines,  a  countrywide  campaign  for  ensuring availability of quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all, in the name of 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana' (PMBJP) has been started. As  on  date,  there  are  761  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi  Kendras (PMBJK) functioning over 26 States/UTs in the country.

In  order  to  encourage  doctors  to  prescribe  generic  medicines,  the  Medical Council of India has amended the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 on 08.10.2016 to provide a new para 1.5 regarding use of generic names of drugs which provides as under:

'Every physician should prescribe  drugs with  generic  names  legibly  and preferably  in  capital  letters  and  he/she  shall  ensure  that  there  is  a  rational prescription and use of drugs.'

- (b) All  the  State  Governments have been requested to open the PMBJKs in each and every District Hospital, Primary Health Centre, etc. Out of 761 PMBJKs, 252 PMBJKs have been opened in Government Sector including medical colleges, district hospitals and 509 PMBJKs have been opened in Private Sector including private hospitals.

For opening PMBJKs in Government Hospitals / Medical College premises, onetime financial assistance upto Rs. 2.50 lakh is provided as per the details given below:

(i)  Rs. 1 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures. (ii)  Rs. 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning.

(iii)  Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer, internet, printer, scanner, etc. For  PMBJKs  run  by  private  entrepreneurs  /  pharmacists  /  NGOs  /  NGOs  & Charitable organizations that are linked with BPPI headquarters through internet (using  BPPI  provided  software)  will  get  incentive  upto  2.5  lakhs.  This  will  be given @ 15% of monthly sales subject to a ceiling of Rs 10,000/ per month upto total limit of 2.5 lakhs. In NE states, and naxal affected areas, tribal areas, the rate of incentive will be 15% and subject to monthly ceiling of Rs. 15,000/- upto total limit of 2.5 lakhs.

- (c) & (d) Yes, Indian Medical Association and Indian Medical Council are supporting PMBJP to promote the use of generic medicines. As noted in reply to part (a) above, Medical Council of India has amended the code to promote the use of generic medicines.

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