Doctors asked to use standardised prescription forms

Health department issues notification; move in line with WHO guidelines

PESHAWAR: In a bid to organise the chaotic world of medical prescriptions, the provincial health department has suggested a standardised form for handing out medicines in the province, especially in the newly merged districts.

According to a notification issued by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) health department, prescription forms should be introduced instead of prescribing medicines on plain writing pads.

The notification, issued by the health secretariat, stated that the new forms must be designed so that they contain all the necessary information about the quantity, dose and duration of the medicine course being prescribed.



Moreover, it adds that the prescription should include the prescribing doctor’s Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) registration number.

“I am therefore enclosing the standard performa for directions to doctors [under your control] to kindly be instructed to use the same for prescription writing along with total adherence to dispensing protocol by the pharmacist with immediate effect,” the notification directed all the health officials.

The notification, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune also stated that the new proforma should be considered voluntary to inculcate this into medical practice adding that the health department will be carrying out a review in consultation with all stakeholders over the next two months.

The notification added that the matter had been considered by the health department and doctors while other stakeholders had also been consulted on the move.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2018.