Prescribing a medication may feel routine, but regulators are reminding doctors that how a prescription is written matters just as much as what is written. Recent actions by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and statements from the Union Health Ministry signal a renewed push to tighten prescription practices, with a particular emphasis on legibility and the use of generic drug names. The immediate trigger came from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed the NMC to ensure that medical education across India explicitly emphasizes clear and legible prescription writing.
The court went so far as to frame readable prescriptions as part of the Right to Health under Article 21 of the Constitution. In response, the NMC issued a directive on December 15 instructing all medical colleges to strengthen oversight of prescription practices. Under the new instructions, every medical…
