Digital Prescription in Bangladesh: Is an Online Prescription Valid?

Status: Pending Qualified Medical Review. This article has not yet been reviewed by a qualified medical professional.

You consult a doctor on your phone, and a few minutes later a prescription appears in an app. Then the questions start. Will the pharmacy accept it? Is it "real"? Can an online doctor prescribe any medicine?

Telemedicine grew quickly in Bangladesh, especially after COVID-19. The DGHS National Telehealth Guideline notes that during the pandemic "very senior doctors of our country started providing service through voice calls, video calls, chat", and that some use electronic prescriptions while most share a snapshot of handwritten prescriptions. Today there are clear national guidelines. This article explains the digital prescription rules in Bangladesh in plain language. For the full consultation process, see our guide to consulting a doctor online in Bangladesh.

This article summarises published guidance for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules can change — check the latest BM&DC and DGHS documents.

The Short Answer

Yes — Bangladesh's medical regulators recognise prescriptions given through telemedicine, when they come from a BM&DC-registered doctor and follow the rules.

The Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BM&DC) Telemedicine Guidelines (July 2020) say a registered doctor "shall provide photo, scan, digital copy of a signed prescription or e-Prescription to the patient via email or any messaging platform."

The DGHS National Telehealth Guideline states that telemedicine clinical services can be provided by a BMDC-registered doctor only, and that telehealth apps should include a prescription engine and electronic health records.

What the Guidelines Require

1. A registered doctor

• Only a BM&DC-registered doctor can provide telemedicine clinical services (DGHS).
• For cross-border practice, overseas physicians need a licence to practise in Bangladesh (DGHS).

2. Both sides must know who they're dealing with

The BM&DC guideline says:

• A telemedicine consultation should not be anonymous — both patient and doctor need to know each other's identity.
• The doctor should confirm the patient's identity — name, age, address, phone, or other ID.
• There should be a way for the patient to verify the doctor's credentials.
• The doctor should begin by telling the patient their name and qualifications.

The DGHS guideline adds that the app must ensure the patient knows the physician's identity, qualifications, and where they are providing the service from.

3. Age checks and children

The BM&DC guideline says the doctor must ask the patient's age before prescribing. If the patient is a minor, the consultation is allowed only with an identified adult present.

4. Records

• Doctors should keep records of prescriptions and receipts (BM&DC).
• Records of telemedicine should be retained (DGHS).

5. Consent and privacy

The DGHS guideline says providers must ensure informed consent for telemedicine, protect privacy and confidentiality, and properly explain the limitations of telehealth.

Can an Online Doctor Prescribe Any Medicine?

No. The BM&DC guideline sets out lists of medicines that can be prescribed depending on the type of consultation (video, audio or text) and whether it's a first consultation or a follow-up. In summary:

• List O — commonly used over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol, ORS and antacids — can be prescribed in any mode.
• List A — medicines where diagnosis is possible by video, such as antifungals for tinea cruris or ciprofloxacin eye drops for conjunctivitis, and refills for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
• List B-1 — "add-on" medicines in follow-ups to optimise an existing condition.
• Prohibited — narcotic and psychotropic substances listed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act must not be prescribed via telemedicine.

So it is normal and correct for an online doctor to say, "I can't prescribe this without seeing you," or "You need an in-person examination first."

What Should a Proper Prescription Show?

The BM&DC guideline says prescriptions should follow its professional conduct regulations and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules, and includes a sample format. A Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) document on online pharmacy criteria says a prescription should include the physician's name, designation, registration number, contact address and date, and should be verified by a registered pharmacist.

A practical checklist

When you receive a digital prescription, check:

• ✅ Doctor's name and qualifications
• ✅ BM&DC registration number
• ✅ Date
• ✅ Your name, age and sex — correct
• ✅ Medicine name, strength, dose, frequency and duration
• ✅ Clear instructions (before/after food)
• ✅ Any tests or follow-up advice

If something is missing or unclear, ask the doctor before buying medicines. To get a clearer prescription in the first place, see how to prepare for an online doctor visit.

Will the Pharmacy Accept It?

Many pharmacies accept a digital prescription shown on a phone or printed out. The DGDA criteria require online pharmacies to accept only prescriptions from authorised (registered) physicians, verified by a pharmacist. Practices at local shops can vary.

Tips

• Download or screenshot the prescription so you can show it offline
• Print it if you need to
• Bring ID if buying for yourself, or the patient's details if buying for a family member

Using a Digital Prescription Safely

• Only use it for the patient named
• Don't reuse an old prescription for a new illness
• Don't share prescribed medicines, especially antibiotics (see antibiotic resistance)
• Follow the full course as directed
• If you have side effects, contact the doctor
• Keep it — your digital record helps future doctors

Example

Tahmina's father in Bogura has high blood pressure and needs a refill. She arranges an online follow-up. The doctor reviews his home BP readings and current medicines, and issues a digital prescription that continues his treatment. Tahmina downloads it and shows it at the pharmacy. Because this is a refill for a chronic condition with a known diagnosis, it fits within telemedicine guidance. (More tips in our guide to doctor consultation for elderly parents.)

When a Digital Prescription Isn't Appropriate

• Emergencies — chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding. Call 999 (the government emergency number, also noted in the DGHS guideline) or go to hospital
• When a physical examination or tests are essential first
• For controlled (narcotic/psychotropic) medicines
• When the doctor cannot confirm enough information safely

The DGHS guideline also mentions the government health call centre Shastho Batayon (16263) for public health advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an online prescription legal in Bangladesh?

BM&DC telemedicine guidelines allow registered doctors to provide a signed digital copy or e-prescription, within the permitted medicine lists.

Can an online doctor prescribe antibiotics?

It depends on the condition and consultation type. The doctor decides what's safe and appropriate under the guidelines.

Can I get sleeping pills or strong painkillers online?

Narcotic and psychotropic substances are prohibited from telemedicine prescription under BM&DC guidelines.

How do I check if a doctor is registered?

Look for the BM&DC registration number on the prescription or profile, and check it with BM&DC's official register.

Does a digital prescription expire?

Follow the duration written by the doctor. For new or changed symptoms, consult again.

Can a child get an online prescription?

Only with an identified adult present, according to BM&DC guidelines.

Get a Digital Prescription When Clinically Appropriate — ShifaMate

On ShifaMate, every doctor is verified before their profile goes live, and profiles show qualifications and fees. After a consultation, the doctor may issue a digital prescription in the app when clinically appropriate, which you can view and download. A prescription is not guaranteed for every consultation — the doctor decides what's safe. You can also browse ShifaMate doctors.

ShifaMate is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 999 or go to hospital.

References

• Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council. Telemedicine Guidelines (July 2020)
• Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). National Telehealth Guideline for Bangladesh
• Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA). Online Pharmacy Criteria

This article is for general information and does not replace medical or legal advice.