Free template
Prescription format for doctors in India
A prescription in India should show the doctor's name, qualification and registration number, the patient's details and date, and each medicine by its generic name, written legibly and preferably in capital letters, with dose, frequency and duration. Below is what the rules say, and a free prescription pad you can fill with your details and print.
What the rules say
Doctors in India follow the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. Two clauses decide what a prescription must show:
“Every physician shall display the registration number accorded to him by the State Medical Council / Medical Council of India in his clinic and in all his prescriptions, certificates, money receipts given to his patients.”
“Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.”
In August 2023 the National Medical Commission published new conduct regulations that would have made prescribing by generic name compulsory. On 23 August 2023 it put them on hold, and said the 2002 regulations continue to apply. Check the NMC website for any later change.
What to put on a prescription
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Doctor | Your name, your recognised medical qualifications, your registration number with the council's name, and the clinic's address and phone. |
| Patient | Name, age, sex and the date. A mobile number and a patient number make the record easy to find next time. Note the weight for children. |
| Diagnosis | The provisional or final diagnosis, and any allergies the patient reports. |
| Medicines | For each one: the generic name in capitals, strength, form (tablet, syrup), dose, how often (for example 1-0-1), before or after food, and for how many days. |
| Advice and tests | Diet, rest, warning signs to return for, and any tests to get done. |
| Follow-up | The date to come back, if needed. |
| Signature | Your signature, with your name and registration number below it. |
Writing medicines so nobody misreads them
- Write the generic name in capitals: PARACETAMOL 650 mg. Add a brand in brackets only if you need to.
- Use 1-0-1 (morning, afternoon, night) or plain words. Patients and chemists read it more easily than OD, BD or TDS.
- Write 0.5 mg, never .5 mg, and 5 mg, never 5.0 mg: a lost dot can mean a tenfold mistake.
- Write mcg for micrograms. The µ sign is easy to misread as an m.
- Give the number of days for every medicine, so the chemist knows how much to give.
Free prescription pad: fill in and print
Type your details, choose A5 or A4, and print as many as you need, or save a PDF to send to your printer. Generic names go in the first column, in capitals.
Everything you type stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to us or saved.
Preview
Questions
Something else? Write to hello@doctorkhata.in.
Is it compulsory to write generic names on a prescription?
The Code of Ethics Regulations (2002, clause 1.5, amended in 2016) say every doctor should prescribe drugs with generic names, legibly and preferably in capital letters. Stricter 2023 rules that would have made generic-only prescribing compulsory were put on hold in August 2023.
Do I have to print my registration number on prescriptions?
Yes. Clause 1.4.1 of the Code of Ethics Regulations asks every doctor to display their registration number in the clinic and on all prescriptions, certificates and money receipts given to patients.
Can I add the brand name too?
Many doctors write the generic name in capitals with the brand in brackets. Whatever you choose, the generic name should be clear and legible.
What paper size should a prescription be?
There is no fixed size. A5 (half of A4) is the most common in Indian clinics; A4 suits longer prescriptions.
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