Was that vicodin or aspirin?

Doctors are notorious for writing drug prescriptions in sloppy, unreadable chicken scratch sometimes known as penmanship.

A new state law, though by no means perfect, ought to create enough buzz to compel doctors to try harder to produce decipherable prescriptions. Part of a comprehensive medical-malpractice bill taking effect this month, the law requires doctors to write "legible prescriptions," and defines those as printed, typewritten or electronically generated. Cursive, the handwriting learned in elementary school that can distinguish a person for a lifetime, is deemed illegible.

Obviously, one doctor might print illegibly while another produces easy-to-read cursive. Still, the broader, loftier goal of this language is to clear up numerous misunderstandings. Hard to argue with that.

Reports of numerous mistakes at hospitals and doctors' offices give pause to every person with an ailment. Anything that can be done to reduce missteps is welcome — clearer prescriptions are naturally part of the approach.

Pharmacists already try to force doctors to do a better job. Many call doctors to clear up misunderstanding or hard-to-read writing, a practice that undoubtedly will continue.

The new law goes further by attempting to head off headaches before they occur. Doctors shouldn't leave pharmacists trying to decipher poorly written prescriptions.

Enforcement of the law will be tricky because it turns pharmacists into handwriting cops and many have no intention of acting that way. But at least the state is on record emphasizing the importance of legible writing.

Cursive is out; printed, typewritten and electronically generated prescriptions are in. Patients should benefit from the increased clarity.