NMC orders prescription monitoring committees in medical colleges
HYDERABAD: In a move aimed at ensuring legible and regulated medical prescriptions, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all government and private medical colleges to constitute a special committee to monitor prescription practices.
The committee, to function under the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC), will oversee compliance with statutory, regulatory and ethical standards, the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the NMC said in a letter to State Principal Secretaries (Health).
The panel will also ensure the inclusion of the topic ‘Importance of Legible and Clear Handwriting in Medical Prescriptions’ in the MBBS curriculum.
According to the directive, medical colleges must develop structured plans for systematic appraisal, periodic review of prescription patterns and recommend corrective measures wherever required.
Physicians have been instructed to prescribe medicines using generic names, written legibly and preferably in capital letters.
Welcoming the decision, a senior member of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) and pulmonologist at Osmania General Hospital, Dr M Rajeev, said the move was positive but required further strengthening.
“For public health protection, it should be mandatory for every prescription to clearly mention the doctor’s name, qualifications and Medical Council registration number. This will ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.
Dr Rajeev added that displaying the registration number and official stamp provides legal protection in medico-legal cases, reflects professional ethics and builds public trust.
“Such practices reduce errors in dosage, duration and usage instructions, prevent life-threatening drug interactions and serve as vital medical records for future treatment,” he said.
Legal framework governing prescriptions
Under NMC (formerly Medical Council of India) regulations, doctors are required to include their name, qualifications, registration number, signature or stamp, and date on all legible prescriptions.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 prohibit pharmacies from dispensing medicines against illegible or unregistered prescriptions. The Pharmacy Act, 1948 mandates that only registered pharmacists can dispense medicines, and only against valid prescriptions.
Drug Inspectors and the Telangana Medical Council are empowered to inspect pharmacies and initiate disciplinary action against non-compliant practitioners.
