In Maharashtra, homeopaths who have completed a certificate course in modern pharmacology are now permitted to prescribe allopathic medicines. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a directive to all chemist retailers and wholesalers in the state, instructing them to honor prescriptions for allopathic medicines written by certified homeopaths. This decision, made a couple of months prior, aims to aid healthcare in rural areas but faces opposition from medical associations.
The FDA's directive follows an amendment to the Maharashtra Medical Council Act a decade prior, which redefined "registered medical practitioners" to include homeopaths. According to the FDA, all retail and wholesale drug dealers can sell allopathic medicines to registered homeopathic doctors who have completed the necessary course, and retail drug dealers can dispense drugs based on prescriptions from these doctors.
Dr. Bahubali Shah, administrator of the Maharashtra Homeopathic Council, welcomed the move, stating that it would allow homeopaths to practice modern medicine. He noted that in 2014, amendments were made to the Homeopathic Practitioners' Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act to allow registered homeopaths to practice allopathy. However, chemists did not honor their prescriptions because the Drug and Cosmetic Act did not allow them to prescribe allopathic medicines. Rajesh Narvekar, FDA commissioner, said the directive clarifies that the government changed the definition of registered medical practitioner in 2016 to include homeopaths who passed a state government-recognized certificate course in modern pharmacology, addressing confusion among chemists.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed strong opposition to this decision, with President Dr. Santosh Kadam stating that it would result in "half-baked" allopathic doctors. The IMA plans to take legal action against the directive, arguing that it undermines patient safety and medical standards. Dr. Kadam questioned how homeopaths could be allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines after studying for only a year when allopaths must complete a six-year MBBS course. The IMA had previously challenged a similar order in court, and the matter remains unresolved.
This practice, where practitioners of alternative medicine prescribe or practice modern medicine without adequate training, is referred to as "crosspathy". While some argue that it helps address the shortage of allopathic doctors, especially in rural areas, concerns remain about patient safety, legal ambiguities, and the dilution of medical standards. Critics argue that crosspathy practitioners may lack comprehensive training in modern medicine, increasing the risk of incorrect diagnoses, improper prescriptions, and complications. The Supreme Court of India has ruled that practicing medicine outside one's expertise without explicit authorization constitutes medical negligence.
