The Maharashtra Medical Council sparked outrage last week after permitting homeopaths to prescribe modern medicines after completing a six-month course in pharmacology. The development has left social media users outraged, with many accusing the state administration of “playing with the lives of people”. The Indian Medical Association has also demanded a rollback of the new policy — contending that it will dilute modern medical practices.
“If just studying pharmacology was enough to treat illness without an understanding of pathophysiology of the disease, I say let’s create Nurse practitioners like in the west rather than allowing these quacks to prescribe modern drugs,” read one outraged social media post.
“Why do homeopaths who claim zero side effects want to prescribe Allopathy full of side effects” wondered another.
“Playing with lives of people!” fumed a third.
The MMC notification, dated June 30, authorises the initiation of a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) for homeopathy practitioners, enabling them to practice modern medicine. This development stems from a previous notification issued on June 25, 2014, regarding amendments to the Maharashtra Homeopathic Practitioners Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965. Following these amendments, the Medical Education and Drugs Department, Government of Maharashtra, on August 13, 2014, approved to launch the certificate course in pharmacology for homoeopathy practitioners to practice in modern medicine.
“This is absolutely wrong and we are against it as it will hoodwink patients and dilute modern medical practices. Currently, the matter is subjudice and the Bombay High Court has granted a stay after IMA filed an application”, IMA national vice president Shivkumar Utture told PTI.