Telemedicine Prescribing Rules in India (2025): Safe, Compliant, Practical

TL;DR — Verify identity, capture consent, assess suitability, and document limitations. Prefer refills and low‑risk medicines; avoid any prohibited or high‑risk drugs. When in doubt, switch to in‑person.

Educational content, not legal advice. Always check the latest Telemedicine Practice Guidelines and your medical council’s updates.

First vs. Follow‑Up Consults

First consult: take adequate history; use video when the decision depends on visual assessment; if clinical uncertainty is high, schedule in‑person.
Follow‑up consult: for the same condition within a reasonable window, refills and minor adjustments are typically acceptable if the patient is stable.

Typical Medicine Categories (High‑Level)

Low‑risk/OTC‑type items for minor ailments are generally acceptable remotely with good documentation and advice.
Refills for ongoing, stable chronic conditions are generally acceptable in follow‑ups.
Prohibited: Controlled substances and drugs with abuse potential must not be prescribed via telemedicine.

If a medicine requires physical examination findings you cannot obtain remotely, do not prescribe it; arrange an in‑person visit.

Safe e‑Prescription Essentials

Patient details and date/time; doctor identification and registration number
Drug name, strength, route, frequency, duration, and clear instructions
Indication where it reduces confusion (e.g., “for hypertension”)
Counseling points and safety‑net advice documented in the note
Share a copy with the patient (PDF/SMS/link) and keep a record

Step‑by‑Step Clinic Workflow

Triage request: confirm identity; decide if remote is appropriate
Capture consent (implied vs explicit) and mode (text/audio/video)
Focused history; note limitations of remote exam
Decide: refill/low‑risk advice vs. in‑person needed
Issue e‑Rx with full instructions; send patient copy; log delivery
Document red flags and follow‑up; book in‑person if indicated

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Prescribing beyond what the remote assessment can justify
No documentation of consent or who initiated the consult
Missing dose/duration on e‑Rx; unclear instructions
Using personal devices/accounts without records or audit trails

FAQs

Can I prescribe antibiotics via telemedicine?

Limit to clear, low‑risk scenarios where examination is not critical and patient safety is maintained; otherwise arrange in‑person. When uncertain, prefer watchful waiting or in‑person assessment.

Are chronic disease refills allowed by text?

Often yes for stable follow‑ups with adequate recent documentation and no red flags. Record vitals/labs when relevant at the next in‑person review.

Can I prescribe any controlled substance remotely?

No. Avoid controlled substances or medicines with abuse potential in telemedicine.

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