Several official notifications have repeatedly warned doctors at central government hospitals, CGHS wellness centers, and polyclinics to only prescribe generic medications. Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, noted that despite the repeated guidelines, doctors (including residents) continue to prescribe branded medicines to their patients.

As a result, this forced the competent authority to issue a strict warning to the doctors who did not comply with the directives. An official order issued on May 12 was sent to the heads of all the institutions, asking them to ensure strict compliance by the doctors working under them. The order also noted that they should ensure that any visits by medical representatives to hospital premises are restricted.

Earlier, in July 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an official statement stating that the Government of India was aware that generic medicines were not being prescribed by the majority of medical practitioners, despite court orders and relevant regulations of the Medical Council of India.

Furthermore, the former Medical Council of India (MCI) had issued multiple circulars urging all registered medical practitioners to comply with clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. The clause stated that every physician must prescribe drugs with legible generic names, preferably in capital letters, and must ensure that the drug is prescribed and used rationally.

(Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/centre-warns-doctors-at-government-hospitals-says-prescribe-generic-medicines-or-face-action-1602509 )