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. PTI SM BNM NSK
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The IMA’s outrage is built on misrepresentations. CCMP is a one‑year, MUHS‑approved pharmacology training program, not six months. It’s only open to registered BHMS doctors, who have already completed a rigorous 5.5‑year medical curriculum. This course doesn’t create new doctors—it enhances the capabilities of qualified practitioners, enabling legal, safe prescription of basic modern medicines in emergency and rural care, where MBBS doctors are scarce. Let’s support evidence‑based, regulated public health initiatives—not fear campaigns.