Summary

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a directive to all medical colleges across India to emphasize the importance of writing legible prescriptions in their curriculum. This move follows a Punjab and Haryana High Court order, highlighting that clear and readable prescriptions are essential for patient safety and the Right to Health. Medical colleges are also instructed to establish sub-committees to monitor prescription practices and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Background and Court Orders

On August 27, the Punjab and Haryana High Court underscored the critical need for legible medical prescriptions, recognizing them as a vital component of the Right to Health under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The court referred to several regulatory frameworks, including the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002, and the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010, all of which mandate clear and legible prescription writing.

NMC's Directives to Medical Colleges

Following the court's orders, the NMC sent a communication on December 15 to health department officials and heads of medical institutions nationwide. The commission emphasized incorporating the importance of legible and clear handwriting in medical prescriptions into the curriculum of all medical colleges and institutions.

Establishment of Prescription Monitoring Sub-Committees

To strengthen oversight, the NMC has instructed every medical college to establish a dedicated Sub-Committee under the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC). This sub-committee will monitor prescription practices, ensuring adherence to statutory, regulatory, and ethical standards.

The sub-committee's responsibilities include developing a structured plan for systematic appraisal of prescriptions, reviewing prescription patterns, identifying deviations, and recommending corrective actions. All findings must be documented in DTC meeting minutes and made available to the NMC.

Prescription Writing Guidelines

The NMC reminded medical colleges that, as per existing regulations, every physician should prescribe drugs using generic names, written legibly and preferably in capital letters. Physicians must also ensure rational prescription and drug use to promote patient safety and effective treatment.

Mandatory Compliance and Implementation Timeline

The commission stressed that compliance with these directives is mandatory. All medical institutions are instructed to constitute the prescribed sub-committee immediately and operationalize the monitoring mechanisms without delay to uphold the standards of medical practice.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.