Struggling to decipher a doctor’s prescription may soon become a thing of the past. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a nationwide directive instructing doctors to ensure that all medical prescriptions are written clearly and are easy to read. The move is aimed at reducing medication errors and strengthening patient safety across the country.
The decision comes in response to increasing concerns raised by courts and health authorities regarding the risks posed by illegible prescriptions. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had strongly criticised unclear prescription practices, pointing out that poor handwriting can result in the dispensing of incorrect medicines, wrong dosages and preventable health complications. The court also underlined that maintaining clear and readable medical records is closely linked to the right to health guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Taking these observations into account, the NMC has rolled out fresh guidelines to introduce greater uniformity and responsibility in prescription writing nationwide.
Key points of the NMC directive:
Under the new instructions, doctors are required to:
- Ensure prescriptions are written in a clear and legible manner, leaving no scope for confusion.
- Avoid vague or poorly written prescriptions, as such practices pose a direct risk to patient safety.
- Comply with monitoring mechanisms, with subcommittees to be set up in medical colleges to oversee prescription standards.
- Incorporate proper prescription-writing practices into medical education, making it an essential part of clinical training for students.
Why legible prescriptions matter:
Medical professionals have long cautioned that unclear handwriting is more than a minor inconvenience. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified medication errors as a major global patient safety issue, with illegible prescriptions being a significant contributor.
- Avoids misinterpretation: Unclear handwriting can lead to confusion over drug names, dosages or usage instructions, especially when medicines have similar names.
- Ensures accurate dosing: Poorly written dosage instructions can result in patients receiving doses far higher or lower than intended, causing serious health risks or treatment failure.
- Improves patient awareness: When patients can read and understand their prescriptions, they are more likely to follow treatment instructions correctly.
- Lowers healthcare costs: Errors linked to unclear prescriptions often lead to hospital readmissions, longer hospital stays and additional medical expenses, increasing the financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system.