E-prescription meaning: is a digital prescription valid in India? What the Telemedicine Guidelines, the EHR Standards and the Drugs Rules say about electronic prescriptions.

An e-prescription is a prescription the doctor writes on a computer or phone instead of a paper pad, and gives to the patient printed or as an electronic copy. The writing is electronic; what the patient leaves with may be paper. Because it is typed, it is legible at every chemist, and because it is saved, the next visit can start from it. For the symbol that heads the medicines, see Rx.

Is an e-prescription valid in India?

Indian guidance recognises it. Section 3.6.4.2 of the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 25 March 2020, issued as Appendix 5 of the 2002 conduct regulations, says the doctor "shall issue a prescription as per the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations and shall not contravene the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules", and "shall provide photo, scan, digital copy of a signed prescription or e-Prescription to the patient via email or any messaging platform". The Health Ministry's EHR Standards 2016 add that the Pharmacy Council of India's Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015 define "Prescription" to include "electronic direction". Our telemedicine guidelines summary covers the rest of section 3.6.

What must an e-prescription contain?

The same as a paper one. The 2002 regulations ask for the registration number on all prescriptions (clause 1.4.1), the doctor's name and designation in full with registration particulars on the letterhead (clause 3.7.2), and generic names "legibly and preferably in capital letters" (clause 1.5). For a Schedule H, H1 or X medicine to be sold, Rule 65(10) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 asks that the prescription be in writing, signed with the doctor's usual signature and dated, give the patient's name and address, and state the total amount to be supplied and the dose. The generic name prescription rules post covers clause 1.5.

Does an e-prescription need a digital signature?

The EHR Standards recommend one for a purely electronic copy: "implementers must ensure that the electronic version is digitally signed by a registered medical practitioner, and its non-repudiation is ensured at all times", and pharmacists should be able to print it. The Standards also say they do not cater to legal or regulatory scenarios, so treat this as a design standard, not a statute. A printed e-prescription that the doctor signs by hand avoids the question. If you plan to send only electronic copies, ask your state medical council or drugs controller what they accept.

Can the doctor send an e-prescription straight to a pharmacy?

Only with the patient's say. The Telemedicine Guidelines say a doctor transmitting a prescription directly to a pharmacy "must ensure explicit consent of the patient that entitles him/her to get the medicines dispensed from any pharmacy of his/ her choice".

What does an e-prescription look like in a small clinic?

Take Sunrise Clinic, a sample single-doctor clinic. The doctor types the medicines during the consultation, each on one line with form, strength, frequency and duration, prints the page on the clinic letterhead, signs it and hands it over. The record stays in the patient's history for the next visit.

That is how Vitels works: a keyboard-first pad, print on the clinic's own letterhead in A4 or A5 with the registration number and no vendor branding, advert, QR code or pharmacy reference, and every visit kept. Vitels does not route prescriptions to any pharmacy. See e-prescription software.