Some letters were published in The Island newspaper pertaining to writing of illegible prescriptions and non-maintenance of medical records by private medical practitioners.

While appreciating the noble service rendered by them, I wish to mention that most of them write their prescriptions in codes to be read only by their dispensers, so that they can dispense cheap drugs at exorbitant profits. The proliferation of multi-drug companies selling the same drug under several names, compel the patients to know which drugs they are using facilitating to consult a second doctor if required to, naming the drugs prescribed by the former doctor. Also the patients can maintain a record of allergic drugs. The private dispensaries should always indicate the names of drugs when issuing them to patients which is not done at present. If patients decide to purchase, any medicine from pharmacies, clear writing would invariably assist them as some pharmacists are not in a position to read the prescriptions and the tendency is there to issue the incorrect drug or medicine.

Patients with great economic difficulties patronize private doctors expecting better treatment with careful attention unlike in Government hospitals, where cursory attention is usually paid due to overcrowding. Hence, it is nothing but fair for private doctors to maintain medical records. It is very encouraging to mention that some doctors are maintaining computer records of patients although this is time consuming.