Maharashtra Medical Council withdraws registration of Homeopaths practising Allopathy

Mumbai: With opposition from doctors across the state and a government-issued stay, the Maharashtra Medical Council has officially withdrawn its decision to register homeopathic doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).

The notification issued by the council yesterday stated, "Pursuant to the directives issued by the Government of Maharashtra, as conveyed in its letter dated 11/07/2025, concerning the registration of doctors holding the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). The Council hereby withdraws its earlier notification dated 30/06/2025 regarding the registration of CCMP qualified doctors with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). Further registration of such doctors shall remain suspended until further notice."

This comes after the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department formed a seven-member special committee to decide whether homeopathic doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) should be allowed to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council and practice modern (allopathic) medicine.

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Medical Dialogues recently reported that opposition leader, Honourable Shri Ambadas Danve Saheb, raised the matter in the Maharashtra Assembly session yesterday. While presenting the matter, he opposed the inclusion of homeopathic doctors in the council via CCMP route. Following this, the government issued a stay on the matter.

The CCMP course was started based on the Government Resolution dated 13.03.2014. The course was conducted under the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik. After successful completion, eligible homeopathic practitioners received training in allopathic (modern) medicine to serve in public healthcare services.

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. 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. Challenging the amendments, the Indian Medical Association approached the Bombay High Court. On this, the HC bench stayed the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drug Department's notification.

Despite the matter still awaiting a court judgment, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) had, on June 30, officially decided to allow homeopathic practitioners who completed the CCMP course to register with the council and prescribe allopathic medicines. 

However, following intervention from the state government, the council has now withdrawn its earlier notification, suspending the registration until further notice.

Expressing relief, the Maharashtra Chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in a press release said, "This marks a significant victory for IMA Maharashtra State, resulting from its consistent follow-up and firm protest stance. This is just the beginning. IMA Maharashtra remains committed to timely MMC elections, strict adherence to rules, and protection of the rights of modern medical professionals. This victory is possible due to the unity, courage, and patience shown by all IMA members. This fight ensures that the people of Maharashtra receive quality medical services."

The Maharashtra Medical Council is a statutory body established under the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965, to regulate the registration of practitioners of modern medicine in the state.

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