MSRDA terms the decision medically indefensible, ethically unacceptable, and legally questionable
Mumbai:
A major controversy has erupted in Maharashtra’s healthcare sector after the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) issued a notification allowing homeopathic doctors with a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) to register as allopathic practitioners and prescribe modern medicine. The Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors Association (MSRDA) has strongly opposed the move, calling it a direct threat to public safety and medical ethics.
In a letter addressed to the MMC Administrator, the MSRDA demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notification, warning that such a decision could severely compromise the integrity of scientific, evidence-based modern medicine. The association said this step is “unprecedented” and undermines the decade-long training that MBBS and postgraduate doctors undergo.
“Allowing homeopaths to prescribe modern medicine after a six-month course is not only reckless but dangerously irresponsible,” the MSRDA stated in its letter.
Medical Community Uproar
This development comes after MMC permitted homeopathy graduates, upon completing the CCMP course, to register as Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) under the State Medical Register and begin practicing allopathy. Online registrations are set to begin from July 15, 2025.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also voiced strong objections, stating the move poses serious risks to public health and could open the floodgates for medical malpractice and quackery.
Serious Questions Raised
Raising strong objections, the MSRDA questioned the competency of homeopaths to safely prescribe modern medicines after what they describe as “superficial exposure to pharmacology.”
“Can one year of basic pharmacology truly prepare a practitioner to handle the complexities of modern medicine — including dosage management, drug interactions, or patient-specific treatments?” the MSRDA asked.
The association emphasized that modern medicine is not just about memorizing drug names but requires deep knowledge of pathophysiology, diagnostics, clinical acumen, and precision-based therapeutics. Even a minor prescription error, they said, can result in serious complications or even death.
‘Regressive and Dangerous Move’
MSRDA President Dr. Abhijit Rajesh Helge called the council’s decision “regressive,” warning that it may lead to irreversible damage to Maharashtra’s healthcare system.
“We all oppose this. If the MMC does not reverse this move, we will escalate our agitation. Talks with other medical associations are ongoing,” he told Medical Dialogues.
The letter further warned that the MMC’s notification could exacerbate the existing issue of medical quackery and bypass the very standards that protect patients.
Final Demand
The MSRDA has issued a clear ultimatum — revoke the notification or face a state-wide movement by modern medicine practitioners. The association has urged MMC to reconsider its stance and uphold the sanctity of the medical profession.
