NMC Directs Medical Colleges to Emphasize Legible Prescriptions in Curriculum and Monitoring

New Delhi, Dec 17, 2025 The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a directive to all medical colleges across India to ensure that the importance of writing legible and clear prescriptions is included in their curriculum. In addition, medical institutions are instructed to set up dedicated sub-committees to monitor prescription practices, strengthening compliance with statutory, regulatory, and ethical standards. This decision comes following orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued on August 27, emphasizing patient safety and the critical role of clear medical documentation. In a communication sent on December 15 to secretaries and principal secretaries of health departments in all states and Union territories, as well as directors and deans of medical colleges, the NMC underlined the need to incorporate the significance of legible prescriptions in the training of medical students. The court had highlighted that a clear and readable medical prescription is an essential part of the Right to Health guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. This ensures that patients receive correct medication and reduces the risk of errors caused by illegible handwriting. The directive refers to multiple regulatory frameworks, including the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002, and the MCI notification dated September 21, 2016, which mandate that all medical practitioners write prescriptions legibly, preferably in capital letters. The Clinical Establishments Act, 2010, and rules regarding electronic health records further reinforce the need for clarity and legibility in all medical documentation. Under the new instructions, every medical college is required to establish a dedicated sub-committee under its Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) to monitor prescription practices systematically. These sub-committees will be responsible for developing structured plans to regularly review prescriptions, identify deviations from established guidelines, recommend corrective measures, and ensure that findings are recorded in the DTC meeting minutes. These records must also be made available to the NMC for oversight and accountability. The commission reminded medical colleges that compliance with these regulations is mandatory. Physicians are expected to prescribe drugs using generic names, write clearly, preferably in capital letters, and ensure rational and appropriate use of medicines. By including prescription writing in the curriculum and monitoring adherence through structured sub-committees, the NMC aims to improve patient safety, reduce errors in medication administration, and reinforce ethical standards among medical practitioners. The directive stresses that medical institutions must constitute these sub-committees immediately and operationalize the monitoring mechanisms without delay. This structured approach aims to instill a culture of precision and responsibility among future doctors, ensuring that they understand the importance of legible prescriptions from the early stages of their professional education. By implementing these measures, the NMC seeks to strengthen prescription practices nationwide, making healthcare delivery safer and more reliable for patients. The commission’s steps underscore the vital link between education, regulation, and patient safety, highlighting that clear, readable prescriptions are not just a procedural formality but a key component of quality healthcare in NMC Directs Medical Colleges to Emphasize Legible Prescriptions in Curriculum and Monitoring The National Medical Commission (NMC) has instructed all medical colleges across India to include the importance of writing clear and legible prescriptions in their curriculum. Along with this, colleges are required to set up special sub-committees under their Drugs and Therapeutics Committee to monitor prescription practices. This step comes following the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order, which emphasized that readable prescriptions are an essential part of the Right to Health under Article 21 of the Constitution. The NMC has highlighted that every medical practitioner must write prescriptions legibly, preferably in capital letters, and ensure the rational use of drugs. The directive also refers to existing regulations like the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002, and the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010, all of which stress clarity and accuracy in medical documentation. The newly formed sub-committees will review prescriptions, identify mistakes or deviations, recommend corrective actions, and record all findings in the DTC meeting minutes. These records will be shared with the NMC to ensure accountability and compliance. By including prescription writing in the curriculum and monitoring it systematically, the NMC aims to strengthen patient safety and reduce errors caused by illegible prescriptions. Medical colleges have been asked to implement these measures immediately. The goal is to instill good practices in future doctors, emphasizing that clear and accurate prescription writing is a professional responsibility, not just a formality. With these steps, the NMC ensures that medical students learn the importance of precision and accountability from the start, making healthcare safer and more reliable for patients across India. #NMCIndia #MedicalEducation #PrescriptionSafety #PatientSafety #LegiblePrescriptions #MedicalColleges #HealthcareStandards #DoctorsTraining #RightToHealth #MedicalStudents #IndianHealthcare #DrugSafety