Strengthened Monitoring of Prescription Practices in Medical Colleges

National Medical Commission’s Directive

New Delhi: Recognizing the necessity for enhanced monitoring of prescription practices throughout medical colleges, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has mandated the formation of Sub-Committees under the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) in all medical colleges across India. These subcommittees are tasked with overseeing prescription practices and ensuring adherence to statutory, regulatory, and ethical standards.

Responsibilities of the Sub-Committees

According to the directive from the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the NMC, the established subcommittees must undertake several key actions:
a. Develop a structured plan for the systematic evaluation of prescriptions to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines.
b. Review and analyze prescription patterns to identify deviations and suggest corrective measures for improved adherence.
c. Document the outcomes of each appraisal within the minutes of DTC meetings.
d. Make these records accessible to the National Medical Commission when requested.
e. Implement all recommended measures promptly to enhance compliance with court orders.

Generic Prescribing Guidelines

The PG Board of NMC has emphasized that “Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters, ensuring rational prescription and use of drugs.” The NMC has asserted that compliance with these directives is mandatory and instructed all institutions to establish Sub-Committees and activate the outlined monitoring mechanisms without delay.

Communication to Health Departments

On December 11, 2025, the PG Board reached out to the Principal Secretaries of State/UT Health Departments, Directors of Medical Education & Training in all States/UTs, as well as the Directors, Principals, and Deans of medical institutes. The communication focused on the establishment of Sub-Committees under the DTC for Monitoring Prescription Practices and the inclusion of “Importance of Legible and Clear Handwriting in Medical Prescriptions” in the medical curriculum.

Court Order and Its Implications

The directive references a Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated August 27, 2025, related to the case of Yogesh vs. State of Haryana. The court mandated that the NMC must promote the importance of legible handwriting in medical prescriptions within the curriculum of all medical colleges in India. The ruling highlighted that legible medical documentation is a fundamental aspect of the Right to Health as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The court also cited the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act of 2019, the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations of 2002, and prior notifications, all stipulating that medical practitioners must write prescriptions clearly and preferably in capital letters. Additionally, the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act of 2010 emphasizes the need for clarity in medical documentation.

Implementation and Compliance

The NMC noted the critical need for structured monitoring of prescription practices in line with existing regulations. Consequently, every medical college is required to set up a dedicated Sub-Committee under the DTC to oversee prescriptions and ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and ethical standards.

Further Instructions from NMC

In alignment with the PG Board’s notice, NMC Secretary Raghav Langer sent a communication to the Principals and Deans of all medical colleges regarding the establishment of Sub-Committees under the DTC. This notice, identified as Public Notice no. N-P016 (11)2/2023-PGMEBNMC dated December 11, 2025, outlines the necessary compliance measures for all medical institutions in India.

Previous Regulatory Framework

In 2023, the National Medical Commission introduced the Registered Medical Practitioner RMP (Professional Conduct) Regulations, which detailed specific guidelines for writing prescriptions. This included a strong emphasis on generic prescriptions, with violations resulting in potential penalties, including suspension of the medical license for up to 30 days.

Additional Resources

To view the NMC notice, click on the following link: [NMC Notice](https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-establishment-of-sub-committee-under-the-drugs-and-therapeutics-committee-dtc-for-monitoring-of-prescription-practices-and-inclusion-of-1-314793.pdf)

Related Information

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