India Struggles with Illegible Prescriptions Despite Digital Push

Despite initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Electronic Health Records (EHR), handwritten, often illegible prescriptions remain common in India. With 70,000 hospitals—45,000 of them private—most patient interactions occur outside government oversight, making e-prescription adoption difficult, especially in small clinics.

Dr. Shantagiri Mallappa highlights that unreadable handwriting often leads to medication errors, including wrong drugs or dosages. He urges doctors to write in capital letters to enhance clarity, especially where digital tools are unaffordable.

B. Thirunavukkarasu of the Bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association warns that misinterpreting prescriptions—especially for Schedule H and H1 drugs—can have life-threatening consequences. Clear prescriptions help pharmacists dispense safely and ensure legal compliance under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Bridging the gap between policy and practice requires awareness, investment, and behavioral change in prescribing habits.

02-07-2025