Maharashtra Medical Council's modern medicine practice permission to homeopaths draws IMA's ire
Mumbai, July 7 (PTI): The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has issued a notification permitting homeopaths to prescribe modern medicines after completing a six-month course in pharmacology, drawing a sharp reaction from the Indian Medical Association, which claims it will dilute modern medical practices.
Demanding a rollback of the permission, the IMA will submit memoranda to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis via the district collector and the tahsildar. If their concerns are not addressed, the association plans a 24-hour withdrawal of non-emergency health services on July 11.
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.
"As per a Government of Maharashtra notification dated June 25, 2014, MMC directs all CCMP qualified doctors to register under MMC, for which MMC is launching a portal on its website for the registration of CCMP qualified doctors with specific instructions from July 15, 2025", the MMC stated.
When contacted, MMC Administrator Dr. Vinky Rughwani stated that the notification was issued following the government's directions, which were based on legal opinion from the Law and Judiciary Department.
"This notification was issued under instructions from the government, which consulted the Law and Judiciary Department," he said.
However, the decision has been met with resistance from the Indian Medical Association, which said the MMC move will mislead patients.
"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.
According to Dr. Utture, the IMA had challenged the state government’s 2016 amendments to the Maharashtra Homeopathic Practitioners Act and Maharashtra Medical Council Act in the High Court.
"This notification undermines the statutory and ethical framework of MMC and will create confusion among patients. The patients have the right to choose which treatment they prefer and this will only add to chaos," he added.
He claimed the MMC has been functioning without an elected body since 2022.
IMA Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kadam claimed that the state government had held consultations only with the Homeopathy Council, Homeopathy associations, and private colleges in May, without inviting the IMA for its input.
"Modern medicine is very complex and interrelated. My question is just by doing a course in pharmacology, how can a homoeopath be on par with an MBBS doctor. I think political pressure and a bid to raise fees in Homoeopathy colleges prompted this decision," he added.
He said the IMA, through its 220 branches, will submit memoranda to the Chief Minister via the district collector and the tahsildar. If their concerns are not addressed, the association plans a 24-hour withdrawal of non-emergency health services on July 11.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
