Write prescriptions in CAPS: KGMU Dictum to its doctors

It is now mandatory for all KGMU doctors to write the prescriptions in Capital Letters to avoid confusion due to illegible handwriting of doctors. Regulation 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, which mandates every physician “prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters”. 

Lucknow: Doctors at King George's Medical University (KGMU) have been asked to write prescriptions in capital letters to make it legible for patients. The move comes after patients and pharmacist complained that they faced difficulties in procuring medicines due to illegible handwriting of the doctors.

"There were complains from patients, pharmacists and chemists that they did not recognise the handwriting of doctors due to which they had to face difficulties.

"Keeping this in mind, the KGMU medical superintendent BK Ojha has issued a circular to all heads of departments and doctors to write medicines and investigations on the prescriptions in capital letters," KGMU spokesman Dr Sudhir Singh told.

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The KGMU has made it mandatory for doctors to write prescriptions in capital letters.

It will help patients in getting medicines easily, he said. While some doctors have started writing in capital letters, all of them will start doing so soon, he added.

In charge of KGMU Trauma Centre, Dr Sandeep Tiwari said the Centre used to issue guidelines in this regard from time to time and doctors follow them.

"Resident doctors of the university has also been apprised about this circular and it will be followed in letter and spirit," Dr Tiwari added.

MCI directions call for legible and generic prescriptions. Recently the issue of prescriptions by medical practitioners recently became a court concern after an advocate dragged the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Central Government demanding strict compliance of the regulations.

The petition seeks strict compliance of regulation 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, which mandates every physician “prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters”.