Doctors emphasized the importance of adhering to global healthcare standards and warned against compromising them with shortcuts like certificate courses and “mixopathy.”
Senior doctors nationwide have voiced concern over the Maharashtra State Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent decision permitting homeopaths with certification in modern pharmacology to prescribe allopathic medicines.
Although the decision was made two months ago, the final order was only issued recently. This follows a June 25, 2014 notification from the Maharashtra government, which amended the Maharashtra Medical Homoeopathic Practitioner’s Act, 1965. The amendment allows homeopathic practitioners to practice allopathy upon completing an approved course.
R.V. Asokan, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), announced that the Maharashtra IMA plans to challenge the order in court. “It’s disappointing to see governments disregarding the potential health risks of such decisions. Both mixopathy and crosspathy compromise medical integrity. Unfortunately, this permissive environment allows such measures to go unchecked,” he stated.
Public health activist Babu K.V. criticized the decision, suggesting it was rushed. He pointed out that while the amendment permits certified homeopaths to prescribe allopathic drugs, the FDA’s move contradicts a 2016 court ruling resulting from a writ petition by Pune IMA. “We hope this decision will be reconsidered and withdrawn,” he added.
Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman of the research cell at Kerala State IMA, emphasized that the globally recognized standard for prescribing modern medicines is the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. He argued that homeopathy follows principles incompatible with the evidence-based approach of modern medicine.
“Only MBBS graduates, who are licensed to practice modern medicine, should prescribe allopathic drugs. A certificate course cannot match the comprehensive training of an MBBS program. Similarly, doctors trained in modern medicine should refrain from prescribing homeopathic or Ayurvedic remedies without the requisite training,” he remarked.
Doctors underscored the importance of adhering to international healthcare standards, warning against diluting them through shortcuts like certificate courses and the practice of mixopathy.
Source of Information: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/doctors-slam-maharashtra-government-decision-to-let-homeopaths-prescribe-allopathic-medicines/article69050430.ece
