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High Court Declares Legible Handwriting a Fundamental Right

10/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Punjab and Haryana High Court declares legible handwriting on prescriptions a fundamental right, citing an incomprehensible medico-legal report.
Justice Puri pushes digitization within two years.
Rulings in Odisha and Allahabad also criticized handwriting.
Experts warn handwriting errors risk patients; a 1999 United States report cites 7,000 preventable deaths, while the Indian Medical Association backs government guidelines for readable prescriptions.

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Story summary

The Punjab and Haryana High Court declares legible handwriting on prescriptions a fundamental right, citing an incomprehensible medico-legal report.
Justice Puri pushes digitization within two years.
Rulings in Odisha and Allahabad also criticized handwriting.
Experts warn handwriting errors risk patients; a 1999 United States report cites 7,000 preventable deaths, while the Indian Medical Association backs government guidelines for readable prescriptions.