Introduction
This guide explains what makes a prescription valid and acceptable for online pharmacy orders at Trichy Makkal Marunthagam. Understanding these requirements will help ensure quick processing of your medication orders and avoid delays in delivery.
Essential Elements of a Valid Prescription
Every valid prescription must contain the following mandatory components:
1. Doctor Information (Required)
- Doctor’s Full Name – Licensed medical practitioner
- Medical Qualification – MBBS, MD, MS, etc.
- Medical Registration Number – State medical council registration number
- Clinic/Hospital Name – Complete name of medical facility
- Complete Address – Full address with city, state, and PIN code
- Contact Information – Phone number of clinic/hospital
2. Prescription Date
- Date of Issue – Must be clearly written and recent
- Must be within validity period (see validity section below)
3. Patient Information
- Patient’s Full Name – As per government ID
- Age – Patient’s current age
- Gender – Male/Female/Other
- Address (if required by doctor)
4. Medicine Details
- Medicine Name – Generic or brand name clearly written
- Strength/Dosage – mg, ml, IU, etc.
- Formulation – Tablet, capsule, syrup, injection, etc.
- Quantity Prescribed – Number of tablets, bottles, vials
- Dosage Instructions – How to take the medication
- Frequency – How often to take (once daily, twice daily, etc.)
- Duration – How long to continue the medication
5. Authentication
- Doctor’s Handwritten Signature – Must be clear and legible
- Official Clinic/Hospital Stamp – With registration details
- Date of Signature – Should match prescription date
Sample Valid Prescription Format
Prescription Validity Periods
Different types of medications have different validity periods:
Regular Medications
- Validity Period: 6 months from date of prescription
- Examples: Blood pressure medicines, diabetes medicines, vitamins
Controlled Drugs
- Validity Period: 30 days from date of prescription
- Examples: Sleeping pills, anxiety medications, pain relievers
Narcotic Drugs
- Validity Period: 7 days from date of prescription
- Examples: Strong pain medications, opioids
Antibiotics
- Validity Period: 30 days from date of prescription
- Examples: Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Cephalexin
Schedule H1 Drugs
- Validity Period: 30 days from date of prescription
- Examples: Certain antibiotics, anti-TB drugs
Digital Prescriptions
We accept valid digital prescriptions that meet these criteria:
Digital Prescription Requirements
- Digital Signature: Doctor’s valid digital signature certified by authorized agencies
- Hospital/Clinic Portal: Generated from official medical software or hospital system
- QR Code: For verification purposes (if available)
- Unique Prescription ID: Hospital-generated reference number
- Clear Image Quality: High resolution with all text clearly readable
- Original Format: PDF format or official hospital mobile app screenshot
Accepted Digital Formats
✓ We Accept:
- Original digital prescriptions with digital signatures
- Hospital mobile app screenshots (official apps only)
- PDF prescriptions from hospital systems
- E-prescriptions from government health portals
✗ We Don’t Accept:
- Edited or modified digital images
- Unclear or low-resolution photos
- Prescriptions without proper digital authentication
- Screenshots from unauthorized apps
Prescription Upload Guidelines
Do’s (✓)
- Take clear, well-lit photographs
- Use high-resolution camera settings (minimum 3MP)
- Include all pages if prescription spans multiple pages
- Ensure all text is clearly readable and legible
- Check prescription validity date before uploading
- Verify doctor’s signature and stamp are clearly visible
- Upload immediately after receiving prescription
- Keep the original prescription safe for verification
Don’ts (✗)
- Don’t upload blurry, dark, or unclear images
- Don’t crop out important information from the prescription
- Don’t edit, modify, or alter prescription images in any way
- Don’t submit incomplete prescriptions
- Don’t wait too long to upload – validity periods apply
- Don’t assume we have access to your previous prescriptions
- Don’t submit photocopies without proper verification
Common Prescription Issues and Solutions
1. Illegible Handwriting
Problem: Cannot read medicine name, dosage, or instructions clearly Solution: We may need to contact your doctor for clarification, which can delay processing
2. Missing Information
Problem: Incomplete prescriptions missing patient details, medicine strength, or dosage instructions Solution: Prescription will be rejected; new complete prescription required
3. Expired Validity
Problem: Prescription is beyond its validity period Solution: Please obtain a fresh prescription from your doctor
4. Missing Authentication
Problem: No doctor signature, stamp, or unclear authentication Solution: Prescription cannot be processed; properly signed prescription required
5. Poor Image Quality
Problem: Blurry, dark, or partially visible prescription image Solution: Please retake clear photo in good lighting conditions
6. Verification Issues
Problem: Unable to verify doctor credentials or clinic details Solution: Additional verification time required; may need to contact clinic
Special Categories of Prescriptions
Pediatric Prescriptions (Children under 12)
- Must include child’s exact weight
- Age must be clearly mentioned
- Special dosing calculations may apply
- Some medications require additional verification
Geriatric Prescriptions (Adults over 65)
- May require additional safety checks
- Drug interaction screening is mandatory
- Lower doses often prescribed
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
- Must mention pregnancy status on prescription
- Special category medications require extra verification
- Safety warnings will be provided
Chronic Disease Management
- Long-term prescriptions for diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- Regular follow-up dates should be mentioned
- May require periodic lab reports
Prescription Verification Process
Our Verification Steps:
- Initial Review: Check for completeness and clarity
- Doctor Verification: Verify doctor credentials and registration
- Medicine Check: Confirm medicine names, strengths, and interactions
- Dosage Verification: Ensure appropriate dosing for age/condition
- Legal Compliance: Check compliance with drug regulations
- Final Approval: Pharmacist approval before dispensing
Verification Timeline:
- Regular Prescriptions: 2-4 hours during business hours
- Complex Cases: Up to 24 hours
- Controlled Substances: Up to 48 hours
- First-time Customers: Additional 24 hours for profile setup
What Happens After Upload?
Step 1: Prescription Receipt
- You’ll receive confirmation of prescription upload
- Unique reference number will be provided
Step 2: Verification Process
- Our pharmacists review the prescription
- Doctor verification (if required)
- Medicine availability check
Step 3: Order Confirmation
- You’ll receive order confirmation with total amount
- Payment link will be shared
- Expected delivery date provided
Step 4: Dispatch and Delivery
- Medicine will be packed securely
- Delivery within 2-5 working days
- Tracking details will be shared
Invalid Prescriptions – Common Reasons for Rejection
Administrative Issues:
- Missing doctor’s signature or stamp
- Expired prescription (beyond validity period)
- Incomplete patient information
- No doctor registration number
Clinical Issues:
- Illegible handwriting throughout prescription
- Missing medicine strength/dosage information
- Unclear dosing instructions
- Missing duration of treatment
Legal Issues:
- Controlled substances without proper authorization
- Doctor not licensed to prescribe specific medications
- Prescription format not meeting legal requirements
- Suspected fraudulent prescriptions
Technical Issues:
- Poor image quality (blurry, dark, cropped)
- Missing pages of multi-page prescription
- Edited or modified prescription images
- Wrong file format for digital prescriptions
Emergency Prescriptions
When You Need Medicine Urgently:
- Call us at +916381831712
- WhatsApp prescription image for faster processing
- Mention “URGENT” in your communication
- We’ll prioritize verification and processing
Emergency Verification:
- We may call your doctor directly
- Video call verification may be requested
- Same-day delivery available in select areas
- Additional charges may apply for emergency processing
Prescription Privacy and Security
How We Protect Your Information:
- All prescriptions stored securely with encryption
- Access limited to authorized pharmacy staff only
- Doctor-patient confidentiality strictly maintained
- Prescription details never shared with third parties
Your Privacy Rights:
- Right to access your prescription history
- Right to request prescription deletion (after legal period)
- Right to know who accessed your prescription data
- Right to file privacy complaints with our grievance officer
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use a photocopy of my prescription?
A: No, we only accept original prescriptions or verified digital prescriptions. Photocopies are not legally acceptable.
Q2: How long do you keep my prescription records?
A: We maintain prescription records for 3 years as required by pharmaceutical regulations.
Q3: Can family members upload prescriptions for patients?
A: Yes, immediate family members can upload prescriptions, but delivery will require patient verification.
Q4: What if I make a mistake in the prescription upload?
A: Contact us immediately at +916381831712. We can help you upload the correct prescription.
Q5: Do you accept international prescriptions?
A: No, we only accept prescriptions from doctors registered with Indian medical councils.
Q6: Can I get a refill without a new prescription?
A: Refills are only possible if the original prescription specifically mentions refills and is still within validity.
Quality Assurance
Our Commitment:
- Licensed pharmacists verify every prescription
- Double-check system for controlled substances
- Regular training on prescription regulations
- Compliance with Indian pharmaceutical laws
Your Assurance:
- Only genuine medicines from authorized distributors
- Proper storage and handling of all medications
- Batch number and expiry date verification
- Temperature-controlled delivery for sensitive medicines
Contact Information
For Prescription-Related Queries:
Trichy Makkal Marunthagam
Email: trichymakkalmarunthagam@gmail.com
Phone: +916381831712
Website: www.makkalmarunthagam.org
Business Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: Closed (Emergency services available)
Grievance Officer:
Mr. Aadhithya M
Email: trichymakkalmarunthagam@gmail.com
Phone: +916381831712
Emergency Contact:
For urgent prescription queries outside business hours, please WhatsApp your query to +916381831712. We’ll respond as soon as possible.
Legal Compliance
This guide is prepared in accordance with:
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945
- Pharmacy Practice Regulations
- Indian Medical Council Regulations
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Trichy Makkal Marunthagam reserves the right to request additional documentation or verification for any prescription. All prescription processing is subject to pharmacist approval and applicable regulations.