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Pharmaceutical Services Division
Penang State Health Department
This is a general guide for good prescribing practice within
MOH facilities in Penang State. Users are advised to refer to
the policy currently used at the respective facilities and
update accordingly.
2014
Good Prescribing Guideline
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
Good Prescribing Principles
B
A
C
A
Details Pertaining to Medicines
All prescriptions must be written CLEARLY, LEGIBLY, INDELIBLY and ATTRIBUTABLE.
Write drug names in full.
Drug name4,5
DO NOT use chemical names or symbols.
Use generic drug names.
Specify formulations/ strengths /devices needed when various forms of a medication are
available.
e.g. Actrapid Penfill or Actrapid Vial
DO NOT use trailing zeroes  Use 5mg, NOT 5.0mg
Leading zero in front of a decimal point for dose less than 1  Use 0.5mg, NOT .5mg
Use words or Hindu-Arabic numbers. DO NOT use Roman numerals.
e.g. One, Two, Three or 1, 2, 3.
Dose ≥ 1 gram should be written in grams E.g. 1g, 1.5g, etc.
Dose ≤ 1 gram should be written in milligrams E.g. 500mg, NOT 0.5g
Dose ≤ 1 mg should be written in micrograms E.g. 100mcg, NOT 0.1mg
Dose4,5
Where fractions need to be used, circle the dose to denote clearly.
Write ½ if the intended meaning is ‘half a tablet’.
For figures above 100,
a) Use words to express intent. e.g. One thousand, one million, six million, etc
b) Use commas for dosing units ≥ 1,000 e.g. Syr. Nystatin 100,000 units qid
For insulin, prescribe as ‘units’ in full, e.g. ‘12 units’, NOT 12 u.
For multiple dose insulin, write as:
S/C Actrapid Penfill 12 units am
10 units noon
13 units pm
2
Good Prescribing Guideline
A
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
Details Pertaining to Medicines
For combination drugs, specify strength and quantity of tablets per dose.
e.g. Tab. Glucovance (500mg/5mg) 2 tabs BD
For inhalers, prescribe as number of doses NOT puffs (except for combination inhaler).
e.g. MDI Budesonide 200mcg BD
Accuhaler Seretide (50mcg/250mcg) 1 puff BD
Dose4,5
For psychotropic drugs, prescribe as number of doses NOT number of tablets.
e.g. T. Clonazepam 1mg ON/ PRN x 7 doses
Dose units4,5
Milliliter is abbreviated as mL or ml, NOT cc or cm3.
Diagnosis4,5
Avoid acronyms or abbreviations for medical terms (diagnosis) and procedure names on
orders or prescriptions.
Frequency MUST always be specified.
e.g. Tab. Paracetamol 1g tds / PRN x 10 tablets
Frequency4,5
Express dosage frequency unambiguously.
e.g. Use ‘two times a week’, NOT ‘biweekly’ (confused as ‘every two weeks’)
For drugs to be administered only on specific days of the week, those days must always be
written in full.
e.g. S/C Erythropoietin Beta 2,000 units I.V. 3x/ week on Monday,Wednesday and Friday
Duration should be written clearly on the prescription.
For long term prescriptions, the appointment date (TCA) can be written on the TOP RIGHT
of the prescription.
Duration6
For short term / PRN usage, the number of tablets to be given should be written.
e.g. Tab. Paracetamol 1g tds / PRN x 10 tablets
B
Details Pertaining to Patient’s Data
One prescription for one patient.
Patient’s data6
Patient's full name, full I.C. number (12 digits) or Hospital RN must be stated on all
prescriptions for proper identification, age and gender.
AGE and WEIGHT must be stated on all PAEDIATRIC prescriptions.
The DATE when the prescription is written must be stated.
C
Details Pertaining to Prescriber
Prescriber’s
information7
Prescriber’s signature & name stamp with MMC, department and hospital must be provided.
3
Good Prescribing Guideline
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
Error Prone Abbreviations, Symbols and Dose Designation
The abbreviations, symbols and dose designations found in this table have been reported as being frequently
misinterpreted and involved in harmful medication errors.
Abbreviations
µg
cc
IJ
IU
q.d. or OD
U or ü
ung
Misinterpretation
mg
u (units)
IV or intrajugular
IV (intravenous) or 10 (ten)
BD or QID
Number 0, number 4 or cc
Not universally understood
SR
Syrup
O
Number 0
biweekly
Ambiguous  two times a week or
every two weeks
Use ‘2x/ week’ or ‘every two weeks’
X (10)
Ambiguous  10 tabs or 10 doses
Prescribe as number of doses.
6/24
six times a day
1/2
one or two
I/I , II/II , III/III
e.g. Cap. Cloxacillin II/II QID
Trailing zero after decimal
point, e.g. 1.0mg
‘Naked’ decimal point,
e.g. .5mg
Drug name and dose written
closely
(e.g. Metoprolol50mg;
Bisoprolol5mg)
Different drug dosage available
Correct Term
Use ‘mcg’ or ‘microgram’
Use ‘mL’ or ‘ml’
Use ‘Inj’
Use ‘units’
Use ‘daily’
Use ‘units’
Use ‘oint’
SR to be written after a drug name.
e.g. Tab. Morphine SR
Use ‘T’ or ‘Tab’ for tablet, ‘C’ or ‘Cap’ for
Capsule and ‘Syr’ for syrup
Use ‘6 hrly’ or ‘QID’
Use
½
Use usual dose in numbers.
e.g. Cap. Cloxacillin 250 mg QID
10 mg
Write 1 mg instead of 1.0 mg
5 mg
Write 0.5 mg instead of .5 mg
Metoprolol 150 mg
Bisoprolol 15 mg
Large doses without properly
placed commas e.g. 100000
units; 1000000 units
100000  10,000 or 100,000
Sound alike brand names
Losec or Lasix
x3d
3 doses
Number 1
/ (slash mark)
e.g. ‘25 units / 10 units’ misread as
‘25 units and 110 units’
@
&
+
Number 2
Number 2
Number 4
4
Place adequate space between the drug
name, dose, and unit of measure.
Use commas for dosing units ≥ 1,000 or
use words such as ‘100 thousand’ or ‘1
million’ to improve readability.
Use generic names except for acceptable
brand names.
Use ‘x3 days’ or ‘3/7’
Use ‘per’ rather than a slash mark to
separate doses
Use ‘at’
Use ‘and’
Use ‘and’
Good Prescribing Guideline
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
Acceptable Terms and Abbreviations
Abbreviations should be avoided at all if possible, but in the event of abbreviations being utilised, only those approved
and contained within this document are permitted to be used within MOH facilities in Penang State.
A. DRUG NAME
1. Drug names must always be written in full generic names.
2. It may sometimes be appropriate to use the brand name (innovator drug) to avoid confusion, such as in:
 Insulins
 Combination products
 Multi-ingredient preparations
 Overly long and complicated drug names
3. Drug names MUST NEVER be abbreviated under any circumstance.
Exceptions:
 Modified release products - slow release, controlled release, continuous release or other modified release
products, the description used in the brand name to denote the release characteristics should be included
with the generic drug name, for example tramadol SR, carbamazepine CR
B.
1.
2.
3.
PRESCRIBING TERM
Write in full - avoid using abbreviations wherever possible, including Latin abbreviations.
Abbreviations used should be commonly used, understood and universal.
Do not use symbols.
List of Acceptable BRAND NAMES
(Please refer to Appendix 1 in Good Prescribing Guideline for full list)
No.
Generic Names
1
2
3
4
5
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7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Acetylsalicylic Acid 100mg and Glycine 45mg Tablet
Alendronate Sodium 70mg and Cholecalciferol 5600 IU Tablet
Amiloride HCl 5mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg Tablet
Ammonium Bicarbonate, Tincture Ipecac (Mixture Expect Stimulant)
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Tablet / Injection / Syrup
Ampicillin and Sulbactam Tablet / Injection / Syrup
Benzalkonium 0.01% Cream
Betamethasone 17-valerate Cream/ Ointment
Bismuth Subgallate and Benzyl Benzoate Suppository
Budesonide 160mcg and Formoterol 4.5mcg Inhalation
Cefoperazone Sodium 500mg and Sulbactam Sodium 500mg Injection
Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablet / Injection
Choline Salicylate 8.7% and Cetylkonium Chloride 0.01% Dental Gel
Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Cream / Ointment
Clobetasone Butyrate 0.05% Cream / Ointment
Diosmin 450mg and Hesperidin 50mg Tablet
Diphenhydramine 14mg/ 5ml and Ammonium Chloride 135mg/ 5ml Expectorant Syrup
Diphenoxylate with Atropine Sulphate Tablet
Erythropoietin Human Recombinant Injection (alfa)
Essential Phospholipids Capsule
5
Acceptable Brand
Names
Cardiprin
Fosamax Plus
Moduretic
Expect Stimulant
Augmentin
Unasyn
Drapolene
Betnovate Cream/ Oint
Anusol
Symbicort
Sulperazone
Piriton
Bonjela
Dermovate Cr / Oint.
Eumovate Cr / Oint.
Daflon
Benadryl
Lomotil
Eprex
Essentiale
Good Prescribing Guideline
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
No.
Generic Names
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48
49
Estradiol 1mg and Dydrogesterone 5mg Tablet
Estradiol Valerate 2mg and Norgestrel 0.5mg Tablet
Ezetimibe 10mg and Simvastatin 20mg Tablet
Ferrous Fumarate, Folic Acid and B Complex Tablets
Framycetin Sulphate 0.5%, Dexamethasone 0.05% and Gramicidin 0.005% Ear Drops
Gamma Benzene Hexachloride 0.1 % Lotion
Glycerin 25% and Sodium Chloride 15% Enema
Hypromellose 0.3% Eye Drops
Imipenem 500mg and Cilastatin 500mg Injection
Insulin Recombinant Neutral Human, short-acting 100 IU/ml Injection
Insulin Recombinant Synthetic Human, intermediate-acting 100 IU/ml Injection
Insulin Recombinant Synthetic Human, pre-mixed 100 IU/ml Injection
Ipratropium Bromide MDI / Inhalation Solution
Ipratropium Bromide and Salbutamol MDI / Inhalation Solution
Ipratropium Bromide 20mcg and Fenoterol 50mcg/dose Inhalation
Irbersartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablet
Isosorbide Dinitrate Tablet / Injection
Levodopa 100mg and Carbidopa 25mg Tablet
Levodopa 100mg and Benserazide 25mg HBS Capsule
Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablet
Magnesium Trisilicate Tablet
Meclozine HCl and Pyridoxine Tablet
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Tablet / Injection
Monobasic Sodium Phosphate 48% and Dibasic Sodium Phosphate 18%
Oxytocin 5 units and Ergometrine Maleate 0.5mg/ml Injection
Phenoxymethyl Penicillin 125mg Tablet
Piperacillin 4g and Tazobactam 500 mg Injection
Potassium Chloride 600mg SR Tablet
Protein Free Haemodialysate 10% Jelly / Ointment
Rifampicin 150mg, Isoniazid 75mg, Pyrazinamide 400mg and Ethambutol HCl 275mg
Tablet
Salmeterol 25mcg and Fluticasone Propionate 125mcg Inhalation
Sodium Biphosphate 16% and Sodium Phosphate 6% Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%
Sodium Cromoglycate 2% Eye Drops
Stavudine 30mg, Lamivudine 150mg and Nevirapine 200mg Tablet
Sulfadoxine 500mg and Pyrimethamine 25mg Tablet
Sulphamethoxazole 400mg and Trimethoprim 80mg Tablet
Sulphur 2% and Resorcinol 2% in Calamine Lotion
Tar, Coal Tar and Oleyl Alcohol Liquid
Telmisartan 80mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg Tablet
Telmisartan and Amlodipine Tablet
Triprolidine HCl 2.5mg and Pseudoephedrine HCl 60mg Tablet
Varenicline Tartrate Tablet
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52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
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Acceptable Brand
Names
Femoston Conti
Progyluton
Vytorin
Hematinic
Sofradex
Lindane
Ravin enema
Artificial tears
Tienam
Actrapid, Humulin R
Insulatard, Humulin N
Mixtard, Humulin 30/70
Atrovent
Combivent
Berodual N
CoAprovel
Isordil
Sinemet
Madopar HBS
Hyzaar
Gelusil
Veloxin
Provera
Fleet Phospho-Soda
Syntometrine
Penicillin V
Tazocin
Slow K
Solcoseryl Gel / Oint.
Akurit-4
Seretide
Fleet enema
Normal Saline
Opticrom
SLN 30
Fansidar
Bactrim
Acne Lotion
Polytar
Micardis Plus
Tywnsta
Actifed
Champix
Good Prescribing Guideline
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
List of Acceptable DRUG NAME ABBREVIATIONS
(Please refer to Appendix 2 in Good Prescribing Guideline for full list)
No.
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2
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8
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21
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Acceptable Drug Name
Abbreviations
Flavin
Aq Cream
Vit C
EBB
CMC
DF118
Emulsificant Oint.
FAC
GTN
LPC
MMT
OMS
ORS
PCM
KCl
Pot. Citrate
KH2PO4
KMNO4
SSD Cream
Vit. B Co
Vit B1 B6 B12
WSP 60% and LP 40%
Generic Names
Acriflavine 0.1% Lotion
Aqueous Cream
Ascorbic Acid
Benzyl Benzoate Emulsion
Chloramphenicol
Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate
Emulsifying Ointment
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
Glyceryl Trinitrate
Liquor Picis Carbonis (Coal Tar)
Magnesium Trisilicate Mixture
Methyl Salicylate Ointment
Oral Rehydration Salt
Paracetamol
Potassium Chloride
Potassium Citrate
Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate Injection
Potassium Permanganate
Silver Sulfadiazine Cream
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B1 B6 B12
White Soft Paraffin 60% and Liquid Paraffin 40%
List of Acceptable TERMS or ABBREVIATIONS
(Please refer to Appendix 3 in Good Prescribing Guideline for full list)
(a) Frequency or Timing
Intended Meaning
(in the) morning
evening or afternoon
(at) night
once daily
twice a day
three times a day
four times a day
every 4 hours
every 6 hours
every 8 hours
every other day
hourly
once a week
three a week
when required
immediately
Acceptable Terms or Abbreviations
om
pm
on
daily
bd
tds
qid
every 4 hrs or 4 hourly or 4 hrly
every 6 hrs or 6 hourly or 6 hrly
every 8 hrs or 8 hourly or 8 hrly
eod
hrly
1x/ week and specify the day in full e.g. 1x / week (Tuesday)
3x/ week and specify the days in full e.g. 3x / week (Mondays, Wednesdays
and Saturdays)
prn
stat
7
Good Prescribing Guideline
Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers
(b) Route of Administration
Intended Meaning
Intramuscular
Intravenous
Acceptable Terms or Abbreviations
IM
IV
Left
Left or (L) or L
Nebulised
Naso-gastric
Oral
Per vagina
Per rectum
NEB
NG
PO
PV
PR
Right
Right or (R) or R
Subcutaneous
Sublingual
Topical
S/C
S/L
Topical or LA
(c) Units of Measure and Concentration
Intended Meaning
gram(s)
international unit(s)
units
kilogram(s)
litre(s)
milligram(s)
millilitre(s)
microgram(s)
percentage
millimole
Acceptable Terms or Abbreviations
g
units
units
kg
L
mg
mL or ml
mcg
%
mmol
(d) Dosage Forms
Intended Meaning
Capsule
Controlled Release
Eye Drops
Eye Ointment
Extended Release
Immediate Release
Injection
Metered Dose Inhaler
Modified Release
Mixture
Ointment
Suppository
Suspension
Syrup
Slow Release
Acceptable Terms or Abbreviations
C. or cap.
CR
Gutt.
Eye Oint. or Occ.
XR
IR
Inj
MDI
MR
Mixt.
Oint.
Supp.
Susp.
Syr
SR
Pharmaceutical Services Division, Penang State Health Department
Aras 8, Bangunan Persekutuan, Jalan Anson,
10400 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Tel: 04 – 2292319
8
Fax: 04 - 2280314
Website: www.jknpenang.moh.gov.my