B'desh court orders doctors to write readable prescriptions
Bangladesh court has ordered doctors to write easy-to-read prescriptions in block letters or type them to prevent wrong medicines being issued to patients. The government has been asked to issue a circular for the same and provide a report within six weeks. The court also said that doctors must use generic drug names rather than specifying particular brands.
Dhaka, Jan 10 (PTI) Taking exception to doctors sloppy handwriting, a top Bangladeshi court has ordered them to write easy-to-read prescriptions in block letters or type them to prevent wrong medicines being issued to patients. The High Court asked the government to issue a circular in this regard among the countrys doctors within 30 days. The health secretary and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Councils registrar will have to carry out the order. They will also have to inform the court about their progress within six weeks, the Dhaka Tribune reported. The court yesterday also issued a ruling asking as to why the doctors should not be directed to mention generic names of medicines in prescriptions. A bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman issued the order after holding a primary hearing over a writ petition. The Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) moved the court with the writ petition on January 2, highlighting the difficulties faced by patients due to illegible prescriptions. HRPB counsel Manzill Murshid said: "Sometimes even employees at drug stores fail to read prescriptions and give wrong medicines to the patients." 