Points to remember while prescription

The recent notification of MCI making it mandatory for  doctors to write generic names of drugs in the prescriptions seems to have created both apprehension and confusion among doctors regarding the prescription practices. 

The MCI notification also states that and any violation would be treated as ‘misconduct’ and the violator shall be subjected to disciplinary action.

“The intent of the notification is to improve the quality of prescription, and it advises that every doctor should abide by certain rules to make it  legible as well as descriptive,” said Dr Prem Aggarwal, president, National Medical Forum in a statement.

The statement advised doctors that they should make the prescription legible by writing it in capital letters and make it descriptive by writing the generic content of the drug being prescribed as well as the dose, strength, the route, and its duration.

Writing a complete and legible prescription does not prevent medical practitioners from suggesting one or two best quality manufacturers of the prescribed drug to ensure the quality of the dispensed medicine, said Aggarwal.

“ It is a matter of concern that while the drugs are supposed to be manufactured by a strict drug quality control measures by all manufacturers, the final product in the market varies enormously in terms of its efficacy,” said Dr. Prem Aggarwal
 
National Medical Forum also released 10 points to be kept in mind by doctors while writing a prescription:

It is advised that before writing any prescription, the known allergies must be ascertained and mentioned prominently.

The prescription should always be written by a qualified doctor. If a nurse is repeating the same in nursing records as a transcription, it should be again countersigned before it becomes a legible prescription.

The Patient name, the diagnosis of disease with a unique identifier, must be mentioned clearly

Medicine should be written in capital letters, clear language, should be legible and = dated, timed with the name of the doctor and his signature.

It you are writing a brand name then the generic exposition of that brand must be clearly written.

The prescription should include, generic name of medicine, route of administration, dose and  frequency, time of administrate and the duration it has to be taken for.

The prescription must mention the next date of review of the prescription.

The high risk medicines must be mentioned clearly and special instructions should be specifically written.

Avoid writing rational combination of drugs.