India's consumer groups call for more rational prescribing

Consumer health groups in India have told doctors to prescribe drugs rationally or be prepared to be sued in consumer courts for medical negligence. The warning, issued through a press conference last month by a consortium of non-government consumer interest organisations, follows a survey of medical prescriptions that showed doctors to be writing irrational prescriptions.

The survey, conducted by the Voluntary Consumer Action Network, a consortium of around 20 consumer and health organisations, showed that many doctors prescribe tonics, vitamin formulations, and expensive drugs including third generation antibiotics when they are not indicated. General practitioners …