Telemedicine Prescription Guidelines in India

Overview

Prescribe medicines only if you have,

  • Patient's complete information.
  • Past medical history.
  • Test reports.
  • Photos (if required).

Don't have enough information? Ask for it or ask the patient to switch the mode of communication to video for better understanding.

Consider if the patient can benefit from health education and counseling. Only if absolutely necessary and you are sure of the diagnosis, prescribe medicines.

Things to Do:

  • Use the generic name as much as possible.
  • Write the strength and quantity of the drug.
  • Mention the proper dosage and duration.
  • Follow your country’s prescription guidelines.

Things to Avoid:

  • Never prescribe narcotic and psychotropic substances.
  • Do not prescribe medicines for overseas patients.
  • Avoid using abbreviations of drugs as they might be misinterpreted.

Prescribe medicines based on the mode of communication:

Query and Phone

Only group O drugs during the first consultation and you can add group B drugs during follow-up.

Video

Group O and A drugs during the first consultation and you can add group B drugs during follow-up.
  • Never prescribe drugs listed in Schedule X of Drug and Cosmetic Act and Rules or any Narcotic and Psychotropic substances listed in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act, 1985.
  • Doctor's discretion is a prerequisite during teleconsultation. And it entails the same professional accountability as an in-person consultation. Kindly prescribe drugs only if you are sure of the diagnosis, failure to do so will amount to professional misconduct.
List Group Type of Consultation (Query/Audio/Video) First or Follow-up Consultation List of Medicines
O All Both Medicines used for common conditions and are available over-the-counter. For example, Paracetamol, ORS, cough lozenges, antacids, etc.
A Video Only First Consultation

For Continuation of Medications in Follow-Up		 These medicines should only be prescribed after video consultation. It includes antifungal medications, Ciprofloxacin eye drops, and other antibiotics.

Drugs used in psychiatry practice such as Phenobarbitone (Phenobarbital), Clonazepam, etc.

It also includes re-fill medicines for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc.
B All Follow-up The medicines should be add-ons to improve or optimize an existing condition. For example, prescribe Enalapril for a hypertensive patient whose blood pressure is not controlled with Atenolol.
Prohibited Not to Be Prescribed Not to Be Prescribed Drugs listed in Schedule X of Drug and Cosmetic Act and Rules or any Narcotic and Psychotropic substances listed in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act, 1985. Examples include Narcotics (Morphine, Codeine), anti-cancer drugs, etc.

For Alternative Medicine

  • Never prescribe medicines that contain raw forms of Poisonous Substances, including Narcotic and Psychotropic substances listed in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
  • Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicines to be prescribed only through video consultation.
  • Avoid prescribing Homeopathic medicines specified in Schedule X.