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IMA Opposes Maharashtra’s Move to Allow Homeopaths to Prescribe Allopathic Medicines After Short-Term Course
The MMC, in its February 2024 meeting, decided to operationalise the long-pending 2014 amendments. As part of the implementation, the Maharashtra Medical Association (MMA) has been instructed to initiate the registration process for all CCMP-certified practitioners. A dedicated portal for this purpose is expected to go live on the MMA website from July 15, with detailed guidelines for applicants.
- By PTI
- New Delhi
- Jul 08, 2025
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has strongly objected to a recent notification issued by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), which permits homeopathic practitioners to prescribe modern (allopathic) medicines after completing a six-month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). The move has reignited debate over the scope of practice for non-allopathic doctors and the integrity of modern medical protocols.
The notification, dated June 30, was released following the state’s Medical Education and Drugs Department's approval to roll out the CCMP programme. As per the MMC, this course is aimed at equipping homeopathy practitioners with foundational knowledge of modern pharmacology, thereby enabling them to prescribe certain allopathic drugs under defined conditions.
However, the IMA has sharply criticised the decision, stating that it dilutes the essence of evidence-based modern medicine and poses serious risks to patient safety. The association warned that the initiative may mislead the public, who could unknowingly receive treatment from professionals without a full-fledged medical degree in allopathy.
The matter is currently pending in the Bombay High Court, following a petition filed by the IMA challenging earlier amendments made in 2014 to the Maharashtra Homoeopathic Practitioners Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965. These amendments had opened the door for homeopaths to prescribe modern medicines under specific circumstances. Although the High Court has issued a stay on the implementation of this provision, the latest notification has prompted the IMA to consider seeking expedited judicial review.
According to the IMA, the decision undermines the statutory and ethical authority of the MMC and may erode trust in the healthcare system. Concerns have also been raised about the potential confusion it could create for patients who may not be able to distinguish between fully trained allopathic doctors and those from alternative systems of medicine with limited pharmacological training.
The MMC, in its February 2024 meeting, decided to operationalise the long-pending 2014 amendments. As part of the implementation, the Maharashtra Medical Association (MMA) has been instructed to initiate the registration process for all CCMP-certified practitioners. A dedicated portal for this purpose is expected to go live on the MMA website from July 15, with detailed guidelines for applicants.
The controversy highlights a broader national debate around cross-practice in healthcare, the adequacy of short-term training, and the safeguarding of medical standards in the interest of public health. The coming weeks are likely to see intensified legal and professional scrutiny as the matter returns to the courtroom.