Homeopaths with Pharmacology certificate can practice allopathy, register with Medical Council- New rule in Maharashtra

The move comes after a notification issued on June 25, 2014, which amended both the Maharashtra Homoeopathic Practitioners Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, allowing homeopaths to prescribe modern medicines under certain conditions.

Also read- Homeopaths can now prescribe Allopathy Medicines in Maharashtra

Issuing a notification in this regard, the medical council said, "Government of Maharashtra has issued notification dated 25/06/2014, regarding amendments in Maharashtra Homeopathic Practitioners Act and Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965, to extent of knowledge received by passing the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology approved by the State Government for Homeopathy practitioners in modern medicine practice. The course shall be treated as valid qualification for registration in the State Medical Register to entry as RMP under Maharashtra Medical Council. Accordingly, in compliance with the above, Government of Maharashtra has granted permission to issue Registration Certificate under Maharashtra Medical Council to all eligible Homeopathy doctors who possess CCMP qualification."

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in 2017, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department had passed a notification, allowing Homoeopathy practitioners across the State to practice modern medicine. As per the special notification issued on 27th September 2017, doctors who obtained the Licentiate of Court of Examiners of Homeopathy (LCEH) degree from 1951-1982, could register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).

This directive was also strongly opposed by allopathic doctors in the State, who had questions about how homeopathy practitioners could register with the Medical Council. The allopaths had also accused the government of promoting crosspathy. Later, when the IMA approached the Bombay High Court opposing the State Government notification, the HC bench stayed the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drug Department's notification.

In 2014, the Maharashtra Medical Council issued a notice in which the council was given the authority to ask all doctors who have completed the CCMP course to register with the council. Later, in 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed the chemist retailers and wholesalers in the State to sell allopathic medicines to registered homoeopaths, who have completed the modern pharmacology course.

Now, to make this process easier, the council will launch an online application system starting from July 15. 

"We received directions from the govt and a clearance from the law and judiciary department regarding the case pending before the court. We will begin registering them starting July 15. Till then, we will be studying what kinds of medicines they will be allowed to prescribe," MMC administrator Dr Vinky Rughwani told TOI.

Backlash from the Medical Fraternity

Strongly opposing the move and criticising the council, the Maharashtra Branch of the Indian Medical Association has called the move a threat to medical standards as it may pose a serious health risk to the public. The association has been raising their voice against the council's decision since the beginning. It had challenged the 2014 amendments, arguing that the new notification has granted legal authority to what was once a powerless and non-binding directive.

Speaking on this matter, IMA State President Dr Santosh Kadam told Medical Dialogues, "Till now, the Bombay High Court has not passed any judgement regarding the issue. How can an administrative body suddenly release a notice officially allowing homoeopaths to prescribe allopathic medicine? A single six-month course cannot provide the basic and necessary knowledge of pharmacology to a practitioner who has spent years studying Ayurveda."

Addressing the ongoing mixopathy controversy, Dr Kadam added, "In fact, we are still dealing with the issue of mixopathy between allopathy and Ayurveda. It is already a controversial matter that has not yet reached any conclusion. On top of that, the council has issued this directive, which could potentially endanger the people of Maharashtra."

To express their disapproval, IMA Maharashtra and other associations of allopathic doctors in the state have announced a march in every city tomorrow. They will also organise a token strike on July 11. They have questioned the council's intention about formally permitting the matter, which had been under debate for years and pending judicial consideration.

Expressing concern for public health, IMA state secretary Dr Anil Avhad told Medical Dialogues, "Enrolling homeopaths in the MMC register creates dangerous confusion among the public. MMC is a statutory body which registers doctors of Modern Medicine. Modern medicine is a scientific discipline that demands years of rigorous training, including including in Pharmacolgy, diagnostics and emergency care. If homeopathic doctors begin prescribing allopathic medicines without appropriate education and clinical training, it can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatments, and irreversible harm."

In this regard, the IMA wrote a letter to CM Mr Devendra Fadanvis, informing and making him aware of the serious consequences that might occur due to this decision. Speaking on this, Dr Avhad added, "We have been highlighting this issue and the probable dangers for the patient safety on print and electronic media. We are discussing this issue with many political figures."

Similarly, IMA Maharashtra Branch Chairman Dr Kalani Rajgopal told Medical Dialogues, "This move would have a very negative impact on public health and patient safety. How can a homeopathic doctor start prescribing allopathic medicine with just a pharmacology certificate while it takes years of learning and experience to become an allopathic doctor?" It is not possible to treat a patient effectively with just a short tenure of a certificate. This will not only pose a risks to the public's health but also confuse them."

He emphasised that the association is firmly opposed to this decision and will not remain silent. He further said, "We are planning to take appropriate and administrative action against it. As an immediate step, the association has decided to hold a strike in protest."

Taking the matter to 'X' (Formerly Twitter), several medical practitioners across the nation have expressed their unhappiness with the council's new directive, calling the move 'uncalculated' and saying that the council lacks proper oversight.

One doctor said, "Worrying signs from Maharashtra. How low shall we stoop to dilute standards? Protests are needed from all quarters. Urging all resident associations, IMA and medical forums to take it up at the earliest."

Another said, "The 2014 amendment allowing homoeopaths to prescribe modern medicine is back with a shaky course. The MMC move lacks proper oversight. Where's the expertise? This endangers public health."

While some have opposed the decision, others have welcomed the move. An RTI activist has appreciated the council for providing relief to the homoeopathic doctors. He said, "The CCMP course, introduced in 2016 by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, is conducted at 33 government medical colleges. Over 15,000 homoeopathy doctors have already completed this training. Registration of these doctors was mandated under the amended law, but implementation was pending for years."