Prescription writing is an important aspect of safe medication practices. In fact, it is an important means of therapeutic intervention by the doctor which reflects his approach towards safe prescribing. Complacency in prescribing results in errors which can even cause adverse effects. These errors can be detected through a prescription audit. It is important that the prescription is in line with the best practices mentioned in the World Health Organization guidelines as also National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare which was founded in 2006. In a step towards meeting this endeavor, Health and Medical Education Department has formed a committee comprising doctors (Medical Superintendents) and Nodal Officers (doctors) to conduct prescription audit in Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar and its Associated Hospitals. The panels have been tasked to prepare and submit fortnightly reports to the respective HODs, who shall prepare a comprehensive monthly report along with their recommendations, highlighting the actionable points, which shall be submitted to the Administrative Department. The panels need to check if the medical practitioners are indulging in practices that go against medical ethics such as prescribing medicine not even required by the patient for mere promotional purposes. According to a survey conducted last year by Pune-based Support for Advocacy and Training to Health Initiatives (SATHI), pharmaceutical companies’ lure doctors with high-value bribes through medical representatives. On the other hand, doctors’ bodies questioned its authenticity. Indian Medical Association (IMA) blamed a few “miscreants” who according to it give a bad name to the entire community. It would be unfair to blame the entire community but at the same time there is no denial that promotional practices eventually lead to irrational prescriptions and pushing of high-cost drugs. One cannot ignore the complexity of the medical field and beyond doubt, a well-meaning ethical doctor may prescribe an expensive brand of the drug only for a better outcome. Quality of the drug is crucial but at the same time, question that begs answers is: who is keeping a tab on that? The answer may not be simple to find given the perplexities in the field. It is imperative for the government to step in and take measures to curb it. The government has taken the first step. The regular prescription audit followed by dedicated clinical pharmacology team along with constant communication with clinicians can improve the quality of prescriptions in long run.
