BAREILLY: The Medical Council of India (MCI) has recently reiterated that the medical fraternity should prescribe drugs with generic names but the lone Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Bareilly has not come across a single customer producing prescription for generic medicines in the past 15 days.Owner of the Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Bareilly, Vivek Agarwal, said, "Though the store for generic medicines became functional over a fortnight back, not a single customer has shown any prescription for generic medicines. At least 50 people visit this shop everyday on their own to buy cheaper generic medicine alternatives of the branded medicines prescribed to them.""We have come across several cases in which the customers told us that private doctors had asked them to go for expensive branded medicines as generic medicines are not much effective. Mostly poor and illiterate patients were misguided about generic medicines," Agarwal added.Joint director (health) Dr Subodh Sharma said, "Though it is being reported in the media that MCI had warned doctors of action if they do not follow the guidelines of prescribing generic medicines, we have not received any letter in this connection from the government or the MCI. Once we receive a government order on what needs to be done, we will inform the president of IMA to ensure that private doctors adhere to the directives.""Many private doctors do not have complete faith on generic medicine as they believe that their effect is less than other common drugs," Dr Sharma added.President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bareilly, Dr J K Bhatia, said, "There is a confusion among doctors regarding generic medicines across the country as they are available in two varieties. When MCI provides clear guidelines, doctors will start following these. The matter has been taken up with the MCI and the government."Vishal Sharma, a heart patient who purchased generic medicines at this Jan Aushadhi Kendra, said, "Earlier, I used to spend about Rs 1,100 a month on medicines, but and when I purchased generic medicines at this Jan Aushadhi Kendra, I paid only Rs 103. I will inform to my doctor about it."MCI has recently reiterated that doctors must adhere to its 2016 notification in which the council had amended Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. Under this, it is compulsory for doctors to prescribe medicines by generic names in place of brand names.Chief medical officer Dr Vijay Yadav said the UP government has decided to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras outside each district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres of the state.

Stay updated with all the Bareilly Lates News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.