The government has invited suggestions from the public on its proposal to make doctors write the prescriptions in capital letters and use generic names of drugs to minimise misinterpretation due to their illegible handwriting.
Union Health Ministry in a public notice put up on its website has invited suggestion from the people on the proposed formulation by August 17 this year.
The proposed formulation comes after the matter was considered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Indian Medical Association (IMA).
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"The matter was considered with the MCI and IMA and the following formulation has been proposed.
"Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs," the public notice said.
It further said that rational prescription of drugs and use of "generic names" against brand names has been an issue in the medical profession for sometime.
Health Ministry officials had earlier said that this would hugely benefit patients as well as chemists who would have a clarity of the drug and it would take away the fear of misinterpretation.
Health Minister J P Nadda last year in Parliament had agreed with concerns of some MPs that illegible prescription by doctors may lead to serious implications and even death in certain cases.
"The central government has approved to amend Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002, providing therein that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names in legible and capital latter and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs," Nadda had said.
