The National Medical Commission (NMC) has prohibited doctors and hospitals from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create testimonials or endorsements, ensuring ethical advertising standards in medicine.
Oct 7, 2026
Date of Directive
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How today’s news fits into the bigger picture
January 2024
Generative AI gains prominence
Tools like ChatGPT became widely accessible, demonstrating AI's ability to create highly convincing human-like text and content, raising initial concerns about misuse.
April 2025
First reports of AI misuse in marketing
Isolated incidents of companies, including some in less regulated sectors, using AI to generate marketing copy and testimonials started emerging, prompting early discussions among regulators.
July 2026
Global bodies discuss AI ethics
International medical and ethical bodies began to actively discuss guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of AI in healthcare, particularly concerning patient communication and privacy.
September 2026
TRAI tackles AI-flagged spam
India's telecom regulator, TRAI, mandated telecom operators to combat AI-flagged spam, indicating a broader trend of regulators addressing AI misuse across various sectors.
Today
The National Medical Commission (NMC) banned doctors and hospitals from using AI to create testimonials.
What happens next?
Healthcare providers will update advertising practices to comply, and the NMC may issue further guidelines on AI ethics in medical practice.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has clarified that medical practitioners and healthcare facilities in India are strictly forbidden from employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for generating testimonials or endorsements. This directive, announced on October 7, 2026, reinforces the ethical guidelines governing medical advertising, emphasizing truthfulness and preventing misleading claims. The move aims to protect patients from potentially deceptive marketing practices, ensuring that any endorsements or success stories are authentic and directly attributable to real patient experiences, rather than synthetically created content. This policy is a crucial step in maintaining transparency and trust in the rapidly evolving healthcare and AI landscape.
💭 If you're wondering…
No, this specifically prohibits AI for generating testimonials or endorsements. AI can still be used for other purposes in medicine, such as diagnostics, drug discovery, or administrative tasks, as long as it adheres to ethical guidelines.
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