What the NMC guidelines say (doctors)
- Clause 3.2, Explanation V: no soliciting, purchasing, procuring, manipulating or causing to be published fake, paid or misleading patient reviews, ratings, testimonials, endorsements or recommendations; an RMP shall not request or share patient testimonials, recommendations, endorsements or reviews for professional promotion on social media.
- Clause 8.1 xi: no use of any celebrity, influencer, patient, employee or third party to promote professional services through prohibited testimonials, endorsements or recommendations; no use of a third party to do indirectly what is prohibited directly.
- Clause 8.1 xii: no procuring or manipulating fake followers, likes, reviews, ratings, testimonials, comments, views or other digital engagement, or manipulating search rankings, visibility or algorithms to create a misleading impression of professional standing.
- Clause 9.4: healthcare platforms hosting RMPs shall ensure compliance with NMC ethical advertising norms, prohibition of paid ranking of doctors, and transparency in listing practices.
What the NDC advisory says (dentists)
The advisory of 14 October 2026 names publishing patient testimonials among potentially unethical promotional activities on social media (para 1).
Questions
- Can a doctor share patient reviews on social media?
- Clause 3.2, Explanation V says an RMP shall not request or share patient testimonials, recommendations, endorsements or reviews for professional promotion on social media.
- What do the guidelines say about doctor listing platforms?
- Clause 9.4 says healthcare platforms hosting RMPs shall ensure compliance with NMC ethical advertising norms, prohibition of paid ranking of doctors, and transparency in listing practices.
Sources
- NMC public notice R-13014/01/2024-Ethics, 6 October 2026: Guidelines on Ethical Advertising and Public Communication (PDF, nmc.org.in)
- National Dental Commission advisory, File No. 2/Advisory/EDRB/NDC/2026/M-2672, 14 October 2026: Unethical Social Media Promotion and Advertising by Registered Dentists (PDF, dciindia.gov.in)
Rules change. Check the latest notice from the National Medical Commission, the National Dental Commission or your State Council before you act.