Posted By :  Admin1

In Maharashtra, nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors staged a 24-hour strike to protest a government notification permitting homeopathic practitioners who have completed a one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and prescribe select allopathic medicines. Doctor associations including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), resident doctors’ organisations, and other affiliated bodies participated in the strike, demanding the revocation of the new policy.

The crux of the objection lies in concerns over patient safety and medical standards. Allopathic doctors argue that the CCMP course does not provide the depth of training required to safely prescribe modern medicines, particularly in emergency or complex medical situations. They warn that this could lead to misdiagnoses, improper prescription, antibiotic resistance, and erosion of public trust in healthcare institutions.

The state government had earlier issued a notification to initiate the registration of CCMP-qualified homeopathic practitioners, rescinded it temporarily following opposition, and then revived the process via a fresh circular on september 5. In response to the strike, medical bodies have urged the government to hold off on implementation until the matter is resolved by the Bombay High Court.

As of now, emergency and critical medical services are being maintained despite the strike, but routine outpatient and elective procedures have been significantly impacted. The IMA has threatened further escalation if the government does not withdraw the decision and ensure that only fully qualified MBBS doctors are authorised to practise allopathic medicine.