The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges and institutions across India to establish sub-committees immediately. These new committees will monitor prescription practices. Their formation ensures adherence to statutory, regulatory, and ethical standards, focusing on legible prescriptions and the mandatory use of generic drug names. This directive follows a High Court order issued on August 27, 2025 .
The High Court of Punjab and Haryana issued this directive as part of its ruling in the case of Yogesh vs. State of Haryana. The court’s judgment emphasized that clear and legible medical prescriptions are fundamental. It underscored their essential role in upholding an individual’s Right to Health, as protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Sub-Committee Formation and Role
Each medical institution must now form a sub-committee. This body will operate under the guidance of the institution’s existing Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC). The sub-committee’s responsibility is to systematically review all prescriptions generated within the institution. This covers both medical students and practicing physicians.
The sub-committee must develop and implement a structured plan. This plan will guide the systematic review of prescription patterns. Its tasks include identifying deviations from established regulations and recommending corrective measures. These actions ensure and improve adherence to statutory requirements governing prescription writing.
Findings from prescription appraisals must be documented. These records will be maintained within the minutes of the DTC meetings. Institutions are required to make these records available to the NMC whenever requested. The sub-committee holds responsibility for the timely implementation of measures to comply with the court order and existing regulations.
Mandatory Prescription Guidelines
The NMC reminded medical institutions of current regulations. Physicians must prescribe drugs using their generic names. Prescriptions must be written legibly, with a preference for capital letters. The commission stated that rational prescription and proper use of drugs must be ensured in every case.
Curriculum Integration
An educational component is also mandated. Medical institutions must incorporate a topic into their curriculum for all students. This module, titled “Importance of Legible and Clear Handwriting in Medical Prescriptions,” aims to instill practices from the start of medical education.
Compliance and Oversight
Compliance with these directives is mandatory for all medical institutions. The NMC has instructed the immediate constitution of these sub-committees. All colleges are expected to operationalize the prescribed monitoring mechanisms without delay. This initiative is now part of regular institutional governance and oversight.
“Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters, and he/she shall ensure rational prescription and use of drugs,” the commission stated. It added, “Compliance of these directions is mandatory. All institutions are instructed to constitute the Sub-Committee immediately, and operationalise the prescribed monitoring mechanisms without delay.”