Govt stay follows strong opposition from allopathic doctors and IMA; registration suspended until further notice
Mumbai – In a significant policy reversal, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has officially withdrawn its decision to register homeopathic doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). The move comes in response to strong opposition from the medical fraternity and a government-issued stay.
In its notification dated July 11, the MMC stated:
“Pursuant to the directives issued by the Government of Maharashtra… the Council hereby withdraws its earlier notification dated 30/06/2025 regarding the registration of CCMP-qualified doctors… Further registration of such doctors shall remain suspended until further notice.”
Background and Controversy
The CCMP course, introduced under a 2014 Government Resolution, aimed to provide basic modern medicine training to homeopathic doctors through the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, particularly for deployment in public healthcare settings.
However, the decision to allow such practitioners to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council sparked intense backlash from allopathic doctors, who accused the government of promoting crosspathy—the mixing of different systems of medicine.
The controversy resurfaced during the Maharashtra Assembly session, when Opposition Leader Shri Ambadas Danve strongly opposed the MMC’s June 30 notification. His intervention led the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department to issue a stay and form a seven-member expert committee to review the matter.
Legal Context
This isn’t the first time the issue has reached legal and policy scrutiny. In 2017, a notification by the Medical Education and Drugs Department had allowed practitioners with historical LCEH (Licentiate of Court of Examiners of Homeopathy) degrees to register with MMC. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) challenged the move in the Bombay High Court, which had issued a stay order.
Despite the matter still being sub judice, the MMC’s recent decision to permit CCMP holders to register reignited tensions, eventually leading to the current rollback.
IMA Welcomes Decision
The Indian Medical Association – Maharashtra Chapter hailed the decision as a “significant victory”. In an official statement, IMA said:
“This victory is the result of our united protest and persistent efforts. We remain committed to safeguarding the standards of modern medicine and ensuring MMC adheres to fair regulatory practices.”
Regulatory Note
The Maharashtra Medical Council, a statutory body under the MMC Act, 1965, is responsible for regulating the registration and ethical practice of modern medicine in the state. The latest suspension indicates a tightening of oversight and a reaffirmation of exclusive rights for qualified allopathic practitioners.
