NMC directs medical colleges to ensure legible prescriptions, use of generic names

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has instructed all medical colleges and institutions across India to establish a sub-committee under the drugs and therapeutics committee (DTC) to monitor prescription practices and ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and ethical standards.

The directive follows the order dated August 27, 2025, by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in the matter of Yogesh vs. State of Haryana, which emphasised that legible medical prescriptions are essential for the Right to Health under Article 21 of the Constitution.

As per the official notice, medical institutions have been asked to incorporate the topic “Importance of Legible and Clear Handwriting in Medical Prescriptions” into the curriculum for all students.

The sub-committee is required to develop a structured plan to systematically review prescriptions issued by students and practitioners within the institution. It will analyse prescription patterns, identify deviations from regulations, and recommend corrective measures to improve adherence to statutory requirements.

All findings from prescription appraisals must be documented in the minutes of the DTC meetings. These records must be made available to the NMC whenever requested. The Sub-Committee is also responsible for ensuring the timely implementation of measures to comply with the court order and existing regulations.

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Mandatory use of generic names in prescriptions

The commission states that medical institutions are reminded that, according to current regulations, physicians are required to prescribe drugs using generic names, write prescriptions legibly, and preferably in capital letters.

Rational prescription and proper use of drugs should be ensured in all cases. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and institutions are instructed to constitute the Sub-Committee immediately.

The NMC has issued the instructions with the approval of the competent authority. All medical colleges are expected to operationalise the Sub-Committee without delay and monitor prescription practices as part of regular institutional governance.

“Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters, and he/she shall ensure rational prescription and use of drugs.” Compliance of these directions is mandatory. All institutions are instructed to constitute the Sub-Committee immediately, and operationalise the prescribed monitoring mechanisms without delay,” the commission said.