Spell it right
By: Dr. Satyawan Saurabh
The Punjab-Haryana High Court has recently given an order that will leave a deep impact on the health system of not only Haryana-Punjab but the entire country. The court clearly said that doctors will now have to write the prescriptions of patients clearly. It would be better if doctors write their prescriptions in capital letters or give the prescription in typed/digital form.
This decision is not limited to the formality of handwriting, but it is directly related to the patient’s safety and right to life (Article 21).
In India, it is often heard that the handwriting of doctors is so confusing that the pharmacist or the patient cannot understand which medicine to take, in what quantity and for how long.
In such a situation, it is common for the patient’s condition to deteriorate due to wrong medicine or wrong dosage. Many times this negligence has even become the cause of death. This situation is not limited to small towns or rural areas only. This crisis of prescriptions exists in big corporate hospitals as well. Therefore, the intervention of the High Court should be seen as a lifesaving initiative.
This issue is not only medical but also social. In rural and semi-urban areas, patients are often less educated. When they reach the pharmacy with the doctor’s prescription, they are unable to understand which medicine should be taken how many times.
Many times, even the pharmacy seller misunderstands the writing. Due to this, the patient takes the medicine at the wrong time, the dosage gets spoiled and the disease worsens. This problem becomes even more serious in pregnant women, children and elderly patients.
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution gives every citizen the right to life and personal liberty. The court rightly said that it is a fundamental right of the patient to get information about his illness and treatment.
If the prescription itself is vague and contains incomplete information, then this right is automatically obstructed. In this context, this order is not limited to only technical improvement in the medical system, but it is an important step towards the protection of civil rights.
The court also said in its order that until the system of e-prescription (computer generated prescription) is fully implemented across the country, all doctors should write in capital letters. This suggestion is practical as well as sets the direction for the future.
There are many benefits of digital health records and e-prescription – the entire medical history of the patient remains safe, the pharmacist has no scope for misunderstanding, transparency is ensured till the pharmaceutical companies and health insurance and the patient, whether from a village or a metropolis, gets clear information.
The High Court has also directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to train students in medical colleges on neat handwriting and clear prescriptions. This step is very important because in the future, these students will become doctors.
If students are taught the habit of neat writing and clear prescriptions from the beginning of medical education, then this problem can automatically end in the coming years. This reform should become a part of medical ethics.
The court has also directed the state governments and union territories to formulate a policy. Under this policy, small clinics and rural doctors can be given financial assistance for computer-based prescription systems.
Awareness meetings should be organized at the district level under the supervision of the civil surgeon and the health department should conduct periodic inspections to ensure that doctors are writing readable prescriptions. If the government implements this order seriously, it will not only protect the lives of patients but will also strengthen transparency and trust in healthcare.
International experience shows that clarity of prescription brings revolutionary improvements in health services. In western countries, handwritten prescriptions by doctors are now almost a thing of the past. In countries like the US, Europe and Japan, e-prescriptions have become the standard in most hospitals and clinics.
In India too, electronic health records are being promoted under the Digital India Mission and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission. The High Court order will give further impetus to these initiatives.
However, the challenges are not less. Lack of electricity and internet in rural areas will make it difficult to implement digital systems. The cost of computers, printers and software is a big obstacle for small clinics. Doctors already have an administrative burden, so additional training and formalities can create inconvenience. It is also true that the language and understanding of patients vary. Therefore, only English or capital letters will not be enough, but clarity in the local language is also necessary.
However, if it is implemented in a phased manner and with financial support, this problem can be solved permanently. If the government wants, it can link it to the Ayushman Bharat scheme and make digital prescription mandatory by giving grants to hospitals. Also, pharmacists should have the right to verify unclear prescriptions with the doctor before giving the medicine.
Doctors’ handwriting is no longer a matter of joke or satire, but it is a direct question of life and death. The court has clearly linked the rights of the patient and the responsibility of the doctor. If this order is implemented across the country, not only will the quality of health services improve but the trust between the patient and the doctor will also be strengthened. The first purpose of medicine is to save lives and if a simple thing like handwriting becomes an obstacle in this, then it is against both the religion and duty of medicine.
Therefore, this order is both a warning and an opportunity for doctors, the government and society. A warning in the sense that negligence will no longer be tolerated, and an opportunity in the sense that India can take a big step towards making healthcare modern and safe.
(The author is a poet and a freelance journalist)
