Order to Ensure Legibility
Chandigarh: Complying with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and directives from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, has instructed all doctors to write prescriptions either in legible capital letters or through computerisation.
Reason for the Reform
The move aims to prevent confusion caused by illegible handwriting, which can lead to patients misunderstanding their medication and chemists dispensing the wrong drugs. The reform ensures that patients and their families can clearly understand prescribed treatments.
Implementation at GMCH
Prof G P Thami, Director-Principal of GMCH, issued the directions and asked heads of departments to enforce strict compliance across all units. “All doctors have been directed to adhere to this mandate with immediate effect,” the order stated.
Patient Safety as Priority
Doctors at the hospital acknowledged that patients and families often struggled to read prescriptions, and chemists frequently had to guess the medicines prescribed. A senior doctor told the Indian Express, “That guessing game is now over. This reform prioritises patient safety.”
Court Observations on Legible Prescriptions
In August, the Punjab and Haryana High Court noted that legible prescriptions and diagnosis notes are part of a patient’s right to health under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court directed that prescriptions be written in capital letters until computerised or typed formats become standard.
The order followed an incident where a medico-legal report related to a rape case was completely illegible, highlighting the risks posed by unclear handwriting. The Court emphasised that illegible prescriptions can endanger patient lives and compromise their right to know their treatment.
Recommendations for Medical Education
Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri suggested that the NMC incorporate clear handwriting practices in medical curricula and prioritise digital or typed prescriptions nationwide.
NMC Guidelines
In 2023, the NMC’s Generic Medicine and Prescription guidelines recommended that prescriptions be legible, preferably in CAPITAL letters, and typed wherever possible to avoid errors.
