More than ten years after a key amendment, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has officially permitted homeopathic doctors to prescribe modern allopathic medicines—on the condition that they first complete a six-month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).
While the move has been welcomed by some, critics have raised serious concerns, warning it could pose risks to public health.
According to media reports, the decision—set to take effect on July 15—is based on amendments made back in 2014 to the Maharashtra Homoeopathic Practitioners Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act of 1965. These changes allowed homeopathic practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines “under certain conditions.” However, implementation was delayed for years due to legal and regulatory obstacles.
The MMC, which has been operating without an elected medical council since 2022, has now issued a notification allowing the registration of homeopaths who complete the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). Once registered, these practitioners will be legally permitted to prescribe allopathic medicines. However, the exact scope and limitations of their prescribing rights are still under review.
“We received directions from the govt and a clearance from the law and judiciary department regarding the case pending before the court. We will begin registering them starting July 15. Till then, we will be studying what kinds of medicines they will be allowed to prescribe,” said MMC administrator Dr Vinky Rughwani.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which had earlier opposed the 2014 amendments, has criticised the latest notification, stating that it gives legal backing to what was once a “toothless” directive.
Although the Bombay High Court had stayed the earlier move, efforts to work around the court’s restriction began in late 2024. In December that year, the state’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) instructed chemists to dispense allopathic medicines to homeopaths who had completed the CCMP course—an order the IMA strongly objected to, calling it a case of jurisdictional overreach.
“FDA is a drug regulator but it does not have the authority to recognise who can practice medicine. That authority lies only with the MMC,” Dr Santosh Kadam, President, IMA Maharashtra, said. Political will at play? 7/7/25, 7:35 PM Maharashtra allows homeopaths to practice allopathy after completing a 6-month course –
According to Dr. Santosh Kadam, the MMC’s latest circular lends “legal weight” to the earlier FDA directive, sparking fears that inadequately trained practitioners may start administering allopathic treatments after just a short certification course. He also alleged that political influence played a role in the decision.
“Both FDA and MMC were pressured to pass such order. Many homeopathic colleges are either owned by or indirectly affiliated with politicians in the state,” Dr. Kadam said.
The MMC’s decision came after a meeting held in February 2025 between State Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, BJP MLA Randhir Sawarkar, MMC officials, and representatives of homeopathy associations. During the meeting, it was agreed that the 2014 amendment would finally be put into effect.
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