Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has become the first state drug regulatory body in the country to come out with a model medicine prescription format to address the compelling need for safe and efficacious supply of medicines for patient safety. The format was formally issued by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on February 28, 2014 in the presence of State FDA officials.

A model medicine prescription format is now in the process of being circulated to all the stakeholders including patients, physicians and doctors with effect from February 28, 2014.

After long deliberations, a consensus based “Model Medicine Prescription Format” was designed for all the stake holders as a legal mandatory prescription format. Says O S Sadhwani, joint commissioner, Maha FDA, "The format will bring about transparency and accountability and ensure implementation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 like presence of pharmacist in retail drug stores, selling of medicines on prescription and with bill. This will bring about very positive results and would go a long way in raising health status of people of Maharashtra."

The format is comprehensive as it includes doctor's full name, his qualification, patient's details, name of the generic or its equivalent along with the dosage, strength, dosage form, dosage instruction, name and address of medical store with pharmacist's name and date of dispensing and doctor's signature and stamp.

A model prescription format committee was formed on July 24, 2013 under the chairmanship of Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, FDA comprising of office bearers from Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine (MCIM), Maharashtra Veterinary Council (MVC), Maharashtra Dental Council (MDC), Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Indian Medical Association (IMA), National Integrated Medical Association (Maharashtra Branch) and Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC).

The format is designed based on a scientific health care approach, attributed, inter-alia to judicious use of medicines. However, if medicines are administered improperly, the adverse impact of medicines on human body and mind becomes catastrophic that includes organ failure, health complications, death and drug resistance and this has been recognized internationally.