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Finally, a cure for your doctor's handwriting
The national epidemic of illegible medical prescriptions is set to be eradicated. Soon, a standard format for writing medical prescriptions will become mandatory. The new format, issued by Medical Council of India (MCI), is for all doctors who practice allopathy in the country.
Recently, MCI instructed the respective state medical councils to have doctors follow the standard format. Doctors from Maharashtra will soon be able to see the new format on the website of Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). From April onwards, MMC-affiliated doctors are expected to start using the new format.
MMC is a statutory body having powers to suspend the license of a doctor who is found guilty of malpractice. Only those doctors registered with the MMC can practise in Maharashtra. Over 70,000 doctors are registered with the MMC.
Dr Shivkumar Utture, executive member, MMC, said, "In our meeting (on Tuesday) we decided to implement this new format in our state. We expect all doctors to use the new format from April onwards. Having a standard format for prescribing medicines is a practice followed the world over."
He added, "MCI took this decision keeping patients' benefit in mind. I hope all doctors will follow this new rule."
As per the new guidelines, doctors must write prescriptions legibly and in capital letters as well as furnish a complete and detailed prescription to ensure that there is no chance of wrong treatment leading to death. Also, doctors have to mention the patient's address and keep blank space in which the pharmacist can write his address.
The comprehensive format includes the doctor's full name, his/her qualification, patient's details, name of the generic medicine or its equivalent along with the dosage, strength, dosage form and instruction, name and address of medical store with pharmacist's name and date of dispensing, as well as the doctor's signature and stamp.
"MCI has made a good move. Every doctor should support it, because good handwriting is a very important part of drug delivery system and patient compliance," said Dr Jayesh Lele, secretary, IMA, Maharashtra branch.
Experts say that doctors in some countries, including the United States, print out prescriptions. In several countries printed prescriptions are mandatory because they are not only legible, but also constitute a database of medication that the patient has taken over the years.
But many Indian doctors with heavy workloads, especially general physicians, are not keen on having a printed format. But it seems that one day, printed prescriptions, too will become mandatory in India.
Finally, a cure for your doctor's handwriting | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis
The national epidemic of illegible medical prescriptions is set to be eradicated. Soon, a standard format for writing medical prescriptions will become mandatory. The new format, issued by Medical Council of India (MCI), is for all doctors who practice allopathy in the country.
Recently, MCI instructed the respective state medical councils to have doctors follow the standard format. Doctors from Maharashtra will soon be able to see the new format on the website of Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). From April onwards, MMC-affiliated doctors are expected to start using the new format.
MMC is a statutory body having powers to suspend the license of a doctor who is found guilty of malpractice. Only those doctors registered with the MMC can practise in Maharashtra. Over 70,000 doctors are registered with the MMC.
Dr Shivkumar Utture, executive member, MMC, said, "In our meeting (on Tuesday) we decided to implement this new format in our state. We expect all doctors to use the new format from April onwards. Having a standard format for prescribing medicines is a practice followed the world over."
He added, "MCI took this decision keeping patients' benefit in mind. I hope all doctors will follow this new rule."
As per the new guidelines, doctors must write prescriptions legibly and in capital letters as well as furnish a complete and detailed prescription to ensure that there is no chance of wrong treatment leading to death. Also, doctors have to mention the patient's address and keep blank space in which the pharmacist can write his address.
The comprehensive format includes the doctor's full name, his/her qualification, patient's details, name of the generic medicine or its equivalent along with the dosage, strength, dosage form and instruction, name and address of medical store with pharmacist's name and date of dispensing, as well as the doctor's signature and stamp.
"MCI has made a good move. Every doctor should support it, because good handwriting is a very important part of drug delivery system and patient compliance," said Dr Jayesh Lele, secretary, IMA, Maharashtra branch.
Experts say that doctors in some countries, including the United States, print out prescriptions. In several countries printed prescriptions are mandatory because they are not only legible, but also constitute a database of medication that the patient has taken over the years.
But many Indian doctors with heavy workloads, especially general physicians, are not keen on having a printed format. But it seems that one day, printed prescriptions, too will become mandatory in India.
Finally, a cure for your doctor's handwriting | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis
