How to Write Medications in OET Letters ?

OET candidates are often uncertain about whether to include medication names in their letters. Keep reading this guide to discover when and how to appropriately use medication names in OET letter writing.

The OET writing subtest gauges a candidate’s proficiency by assessing a formal letter written by them based on a typical workplace scenario. Therefore, you come across medicines and their doses in the case notes you refer to write the OET letter.

1. Medicine Names and Doses: Relevant or not

Inclusion of medicine names and their doses depend on the reader of the letter and the expected care/action by them.

1. 1.1 If the reader requires the names and doses of the medicines to understand the patient’s medical status or to continue the expected care/action (as given in the case notes), they are relev

For example, when a GP is referring the patient to a specialist, they should be informed about medicines related to body system/discipline and related disciplines/departments.

Example: Case Notes: Mrs Priya Sharma

In the above example, the referral letter is written to an endocrinologist. Therefore, the names and doses of the diabetic medicines (metformin, glipizide) as well as related medicines (candesartan, atorvastatin) are relevant to assess the patient.

1. 1.2 If the purpose of the letter is to review the medication(s), the names and doses are relevant.

For example, if the patient has possible side effects or the medicine has poor efficacy.

Example: Case Notes: Ms Eleanor Bennet

In the above example, the reader, a cardiologist, is expected to review the medications due to suspected side effects. Therefore, the names and doses of the cardiology-related medicines are relevant.

1. 1.3 If the letter is addressed to a person, whose task is not directly impacted by the names/doses of the medicines, it may not be necessary to mention all the details of specific systemic medicines/doses. Probably names or just general terms (antihypertensives, hypoglycemics) are sufficient.

Example: Case Notes: Mr Jake Peterson

In the above case, the reader, a school nurse, is expected to provide non-clinical support to the patient. Therefore, the names and doses of the medicines taken and their doses are NOT relevant.

1. 1.4 If the patient is discharged back to his/her regular GP/ physician/specialist or anyone with a pre-existing relationship with the patient, the patient’s regular medications need NOT be included in the letter.

Example: Case Notes: Mr Lionel Ramamurthy

In the above case, the reader is a nurse in the retirement home where the patient is residing, and she is aware of his regular medications.

1. 1.5 If the patient is discharged back to his/her regular GP, any change in the dose/frequency of regular medicines or addition of new medicines with doses/frequency should be included. This is especially required if the reader is expected to ensure the patient’s compliance.

In the same case above (Ref 1.4), the nurse in the retirement home where the patient is residing, should be informed about the new medicine, paracetamol, to be given after the discharge.

1. 1.6 If reader is NOT a doctor/nurse but psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, etc.

• Probably names or just general terms (analgesics, anti-inflammatory, etc.) are sufficient.
• Specific terms can also be used to indicate the patient’s progress (if needed). For instance, ‘the dose of X was doubled, halved, etc.’

Example: Case Notes: Mr Barry Jones

In the above case notes, the reader is an occupational therapist and is requested to perform a workplace assessment. Therefore, the doses of the medicines, naproxen and carisoprodol, are NOT relevant. You may just name them or use general terms.

For example,

He was prescribed naproxen and carisoprodol …

He was prescribed an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant …

The naproxen dose was increased.

The dose of anti-inflammatory was increased.

NOTE: Please read the case notes carefully.

2. Capitalization

The common rule that common nouns are not capitalized but proper nouns are is app     licable in the case of medicine names too.

1. 2.1 Generic/chemical names of the drugs need NOT be capitalized.

For example, paracetamol, warfarin, ibuprofen, candesartan

Mrs. Sharma was prescribed candesartan 4mg.

However, if a sentence starts with a generic/chemical name of the drug, it can be capitalized.

Candesartan 4mg was prescribed for Mrs. Sharma.

1. 2.2 Brand Names of the of the drugs should be capitalized (as given by the manufacturer)

For example, Panadol, Coumadin, Brufen, Atacand

Mrs. Sharma was prescribed Atacand 4mg.

Watch this useful guide on OET Writing Capitalisation.

3. Latin Abbreviations

OET letters are written in a formal style. Using Latin abbreviations to indicate the doses is considered informal. Please remember, your English proficiency is assessed; therefore, try to write their full English forms.

A few examples are given below.

Don’t forget to watch OET Abbreviations guide.

4. Short Forms

To maintain the formal style, avoid writing short forms while mentioning the doses of medicines. Their full English forms are preferred.

A few examples are given below.

5. Verb Tenses

In the OET Writing sub-test, using the appropriate tense is highly recommended as incorrect tenses can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, and potential risks to patient’s health.

Full guide on using verb tenses in OET Writing

1. 5.1Regular Medications

Simple Present Tense is used to discuss the medicines regularly taken by the patient.

Example: Case Notes: Mr Peter Dunbar

Mr Dunbar’s regular medicines include metformin 500mg, thrice a day; ramipril 5mg daily; warfarin variable 3-5mg and sotalol, 40mg daily.

1. 5.2Change in the dose of regular medications and the effect/outcome is probably known

Simple Past Tense is used to discuss a change in the medication dose and its effect is probably known/assessed. It is indicated by a visit/consultation/review/follow-up after that.

Example: Case Notes: Mrs Priya Sharma

The dose of metformin was changed from 500mg twice a day to 750mg twice a day.

1. 5.3 A new prescription made and there was a visit/consultation following that, so the effect/outcome is probably known/assessed.

Simple Past Tense is used to mention a newly made prescription and its effect is probably known/assessed. It is also indicated by a visit/consultation/review/follow-up after that.

Example: Case Notes: Ms Eleanor Bennet

Ms Bennet was prescribed captopril 50mg twice daily and atorvastatin 80mg daily.

1. 5.4A new prescription/change in the existing dose (most recently made) and the effect is not yet known

Present Perfect Tense is used when the medicine is just prescribed during the latest visit/consultation, and the effectiveness is yet to be known.

Example, Case Notes: Ms Anne Hall

Ms Hall has been prescribed pantoprazole 40mg daily.

(This communicates that the treatment is still being finalised. If ‘pantoprazole’ is not effective, then a different treatment will/can be considered.)

6. Punctuations

1. 6.1Comma: It is used to list the names of the (more than 2) medicines.

Mr Dunbar’s regular medicines include metformin, ramipril, warfarin and sotalol.

1. 6.2Semicolon: It is used along with comma if the doses of (more than 2) medicines are also relevant.

Mr Dunbar’s regular medicines include metformin, 500mg thrice a day; ramipril, 5mg daily; warfarin variable 3-5mg and sotalol, 40mg daily.

1. 6.3Brackets: Avoid using brackets to write the doses of medicines. It is considered less formal. Instead of that, use commas/semicolons appropriately.

OET Writing Punctuation Guide

7. Common Errors

✘ Ms Hall has been prescribed with pantoprazole 40mg daily.         

(Unnecessary preposition ‘with’)

✓Ms Hall has been prescribed pantoprazole 40mg daily.

✘I prescribed pantoprazole 40mg daily.

(Shift the focus from the writer to the patient/medicine.)

✓ Ms Hall has been prescribed pantoprazole 40mg daily.

✓Pantoprazole 40mg daily has been prescribed.

✘Ms Bennet prescribed captopril 50mg twice daily and atorvastatin 80mg daily.

(It is not Ms Bennet who prescribed the medicines.)

✓Ms Bennet was prescribed captopril 50mg twice daily and atorvastatin 80mg daily.

✓Captopril 50mg twice daily and atorvastatin 80mg daily were prescribed.

Refer Prepositions in OET Writing