Central government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines as well

The union ministry of health and family welfare has directed hospitals under its administration to mention generic equivalents also whenever any branded medicine is prescribed.

Central government hospitals and autonomous institutions under the ministry of health and family welfare will henceforth invariably have to provide generic alternatives of the prescribed medicine.

The decision was taken in the light of the fact that generic drugs are usually much cheaper than branded drugs, a government release said.

This will also curb the often-observed practice of prescribing specific brands of medicine with a rider that no substitute should be supplied.

The Directorate General of Health Services will regularly monitor the prescriptions in the above mentioned institutions for the compliance of the order.