Court directs states to enforce legibility in medical prescriptions under Article 21, emphasizing patient safety and health rights.
In a landmark judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has declared that legible medical prescriptions and diagnoses are integral to the Right to Health, a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. This decision aims to safeguard patient safety and improve healthcare outcomes by ensuring that medical prescriptions are clear and comprehensible.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri on August 27, 2025, arose from a case involving illegible medical documents submitted as evidence. The Court expressed concern over the widespread practice among doctors of writing prescriptions and diagnoses in handwriting that is difficult to read. The judgment highlighted the critical nature of clear medical documentation for patient care and legal proceedings.
The Court issued several directives to the states of Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Until computerized prescriptions are fully adopted, all handwritten medical prescriptions and diagnoses must be written in capital letters. The Court also urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) to incorporate the importance of legible handwriting in medical education curricula nationwide.
Furthermore, the Union of India was directed to establish minimum standards for legible prescriptions under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010. The Court emphasized the role of electronic medical records in enhancing healthcare delivery and patient rights.
The judgment underscores the judiciary's recognition of the crucial role that legible medical documentation plays in ensuring patient safety, improving healthcare, and providing clarity in medico-legal contexts. By enforcing these directives, the Court seeks to uphold the Right to Health as a fundamental aspect of the Right to Life, ensuring that patients have access to their medical information in a clear and understandable manner.
Statutory provision(s): Article 21 of the Constitution of India, National Medical Commission Act, 2019, Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010
XXXXX v. State of Haryana, (Punjab And Haryana) : Law Finder Doc id # 2772041
