Hyderabad, Oct. 9: Doctors and private hospitals in Telangana face stricter restrictions on digital marketing under new National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines issued on October 6.
The guidelines prohibit misleading advertisements, exaggerated treatment claims, fabricated patient testimonials and promotional campaigns using artificial intelligence. They also restrict influencer endorsements and paid manipulation of online reviews and search rankings.
The rules apply to registered medical practitioners, hospitals and medical institutions across the country, including those in Hyderabad.
The NMC aims to protect patients from deceptive healthcare promotions and ensure that medical information shared online remains factual and verifiable.
NMC Rules Prescribe Disciplinary Action for Violations
Under the new framework, doctors and hospitals must ensure their digital communications meet ethical standards. Doctors must also display appropriate professional registration details where required.
Promotional claims such as guaranteed cures, exaggerated success rates and misleading before and after treatment images are prohibited. Paying to manipulate search engine rankings or app ratings is also restricted.
However, factual institutional updates, emergency service information and educational medical content remain permissible within the prescribed guidelines.
Violations may lead to corrective action and disciplinary proceedings through the relevant authorities. Penalties for medical practitioners can include professional censure and suspension of registration, depending on the nature of the violation.
The guidelines came into immediate effect on October 6, bringing hospitals and medical institutions under a common ethical framework for advertising and public communication.
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