Maharashtra: Pharmacists demand to prescribe allopathic medicines

The drug control department confirmed the receipt of such a demand."The chemists have argued that they know more about medicines. But, the permission cannot be granted. They have filed the plea in a sarcastic manner to mock the government's decision favoring homeopathy and ayurveda doctors," informed Atul Nasa, assistant drugs controller, national drugs control department.

Meanwhile, allopathic practitioners have shown strong disdain towards the said move. Dr Shivkumar Utture, Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) executive director, informed Mirror, "Their plea is extremely ridiculous. Everybody is trying their hands on practising allopathy, which is unacceptable. They think that they can play the role of doctors, too, which can prove very risky."

The move comes in light of the decision of Maharashtra Government allowing ayurvedic as well as homeopathic practitioners prescribing certain allopathic drugs in the state. It is reported that this decision has been challenged by the state IMA in the high court. A Similar battle is pending in the Supreme Court, which will come up for hearing on Monday.