should doctors heed science or the law? Science, says the Indian Medical Association (ima). In a report submitted recently to the Union ministry of health and family welfare (mohfw), an expert group of the ima has strongly recommended the off-label use of drugs. It, however, adds that such usage should be backed by sound scientific evidence, and doctors must interpret information properly before taking clinical decisions.

The off-label use of medicines refers to their prescription by qualified medical practitioners for purposes beyond their officially approved uses. Reports of the apparent misuse of Letrozole, a breast cancer drug, prompted the mohfw to bring such usage under the purview of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 (see: