10 significant points of NMC draft regulations for Registered Medical Practitioners

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a regulatory body for medical education and practice in India. It was established through the National Medical Commission Act 2019, which replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) as the apex medical regulatory body in the country. The NMC has four autonomous boards under its purview: the Undergraduate Medical Education Board, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board.

One of the main functions of the NMC is to prescribe standards for medical education and practice in India. To this end, the NMC has proposed several draft regulations, including a single common entrance exam for undergraduate medical education called the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), a national licensing exam called the National Exit Test (NEXT) for medical graduates, and a bridge course for AYUSH practitioners to prescribe modern medicine. The NMC has also proposed a system of assessment and accreditation for medical colleges and hospitals and established a National Register of Medical Practitioners.

In addition to its regulatory functions, the NMC also has an advisory role through the Medical Advisory Council, which advises the commission on medical education and practice matters. The NMC also has the power to grant permission to establish and maintain medical colleges and to recognise medical qualifications granted by medical institutions in India and abroad.

Here are ten significant points of the National Medical Commission (NMC) draft regulations for registered medical practitioners:

• Registered doctors must practice the system of medicine they have been trained and certified in. They are not allowed to work professionally with anyone not qualified to provide medical treatment. Additionally, they are only allowed to hire healthcare professionals to assist them in their practice if they are registered and trained under the relevant medical acts about allopathic medicine.
• Registered medical practitioners (RMPs) have the right to stop treating a patient if the patient has not paid their fees. However, this does not apply to doctors who work for the government or in emergencies. In those cases, the doctor must continue to provide treatment regardless of whether or not the patient has paid their fees.
• As a healthcare professional, you are expected to write out drug prescriptions using the generic names of the medications clearly and legibly. Additionally, it would be best if you aimed to prescribe drugs rationally and thoughtfully, avoiding the unnecessary use of pills or the use of fixed-dose combination tablets that may not be necessary or appropriate for the patient.
• As a healthcare professional, it is not acceptable to dispense or prescribe medications or treatments that you need to fully understand or know the composition or effects on the body. The production, promotion, or use of such remedies is strictly prohibited. It is essential only to prescribe or dispense medications or treatments that you know and that are safe and appropriate for the patient.
• As a self-employed healthcare professional, you are expected to keep thorough and accurate medical records for your patients (outpatients or inpatients) for three years from your last contact with the patient for treatment. These records should be kept in a standardised format as prescribed by the National Medical Council. Maintaining accurate and comprehensive medical records is essential for ensuring that patients receive proper care and treatment and for tracking the progress of their conditions over time.
• As a healthcare professional, it is essential that you maintain appropriate boundaries with your patients and do not exploit them for personal, social, or business gain. This includes avoiding any sexual boundary violations, which can be harmful and damaging to the patient. Respecting the doctor-patient relationship and ensuring that the patient's well-being and trust are always at the forefront of your actions and decisions.
• As a healthcare professional, you should not refuse to provide necessary medical assistance or procedures to a patient on the sole basis of religious beliefs. This includes aid or conduct related to sterility, birth control, circumcision, and medical termination of pregnancy when there is a valid medical indication for such procedures. It is essential to prioritise the health and well-being of the patient above personal beliefs or convictions.
• In case of emergency, (life and limb saving procedure) an RMP shall provide first aid and other services to the patient according to his expertise and the available resources before referral.
• An RMP shall endeavour to be prompt in attending to patients and should keep in time with appointments or visiting/consultation hours. The patient should be informed if the RMP is delayed for a valid reason.
• Consultation through Telemedicine by the Registered Medical Practitioner shall be permissible following the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines.