A committee of the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has recommended the formulation of a policy introducing punitive measures for physicians who prescribe unregistered or unapproved medicines in their prescriptions.

The committee, formed by BMU, noted that while physicians under the university are not permitted to prescribe unregistered (unapproved) medicines, there is currently no law or policy specifying the nature of punishment for such acts. 

It, therefore, has proposed the creation of a formal guideline outlining penalties for prescribing unregistered drugs.

According to the committee’s written report, submitted to BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Shahinul Alam on Thursday (November 6), the issue came under review after it appeared that some unregistered medicines were being mentioned in prescriptions.

The committee, headed by Professor Dr Md Abu Hena Chowdhury, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Technology, included Dr Ilora Sharmin, Chair of the Department of Pharmacology; Dr Abu Hena Helal Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Registrar (Law); and Advocate Tania Akter, Assistant Director (Law) and Member Secretary.

Its terms of reference were to examine whether prescribing unregistered medicines, vitamins, or mineral supplements constitutes a violation of existing laws in Bangladesh, and if so, what legal remedies or penalties apply.

In its findings, the committee observed that prescribing unregistered medicines indeed contradicts the spirit of current laws, including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2023 and the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act 2010. 

It, therefore, recommended that a new policy be drafted in harmony with these existing laws—one that clearly defines the legal consequences for writing unregistered or unapproved drugs in prescriptions.

The committee further recommended verifying whether vitamins, mineral supplements, and health-care products imported by different companies undergo proper testing and approval processes through the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) or the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). 

It suggested that steps be taken to confirm whether such products are officially permitted for use or sale in the country.

Besides, it proposed that doctors be made aware that they can easily access a list of registered medicines by visiting the DGDA websites https://dgda.portal.gov.bd or https://www.dgdagovt.info, and that the university’s IT section should facilitate access to these resources.

As part of the remedial measures, the committee suggested launching awareness campaigns across the university to discourage doctors from prescribing unregistered drugs. Initiatives would include printing informative leaflets, organising seminars and symposia, and displaying large awareness boards at the entrances of BMU Hospital and other key points on campus.

It also advised sending circulars to department chairs, instructing them to raise awareness among faculty members, resident and non-resident doctors, and students about the potential consequences of prescribing unregistered medicines. 

The committee recommended that the list of DGDA- and BSTI-approved medicines be made available in every department and hospital outpatient unit to ensure compliance and patient safety.

Through these proposed measures, the BMU aims to strengthen medical ethics, ensure adherence to national drug regulations, and protect public health from the risks associated with unregistered and unapproved medicines.