Govt’s node to prescribe allopathy by homeopaths receives mixed response

New Delhi: The Maharashtra government’s recent decision to allow homeopathic doctors in the state to prescribe allopathic medicines if they completed a one-year bridge course in pharmacology has received a mixed response from the medical community.

The government cited shortage of allopathic doctors in rural areas for passing the decision. However, Dr Jayesh Lele, secretary of the Indian Medical Association’s Maharashtra chapter, believes through this move the government is actually granting homeopathic doctors backdoor entry into allopathy.

Dr Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, national professor of pharmacology, told India Medical Times, “I support the decision that a homeopathic doctor can prescribe allopathic medicines but the prescription should be limited to 20-30 drugs, that too along with appropriate training only.”

Rajendra Pratap Gupta, president, Disease Management Association of India (DMAI), told India Medical Times, “By giving this direction, the government has created a sentiment as if homeopaths were not at par with allopaths.”

“The present decision to allow them (homeopathic doctors) to prescribe allopathic medicines would only create a fight between the two streams. Like an aeroplane pilot cannot fly a jet fighter, an allopathic doctor cannot prescribe homeopathic medicines and vice versa,” Gupta said.

Dr Ashish Babhulkar, president, Shoulder and Elbow Society of India (SESI), told , “There are different perspectives to look at it. We do have a severe crunch of doctors especially in rural areas, given huge population but the decision is only a short-term solution to the problem as nothing can replace the experience and understanding of a pharmacologist and pharmacist about medicine.”

“Like an allopathic doctor does not prescribe homeopathy medicines, a homeopath is expected to do the same. I would like to add that a good homeopath is certainly free to treat and prescribe allopathic medicines if he feels he has gained enough expertise and confidence in the area,” he said.[Source]

2 Comments

  1. LET Truth be said, the only reason for this is to rehabilitate Homeopath who unfortunately lacked training facilities.
    The government cited shortage of allopathic doctors in rural areas for passing the decision, if this be the reason WHY SPOIL THE NAME OF HOMOEOPATHY, better allow all para medical staff, Nurses, compounders train them for further 1-2 yrs , they will Bless the decision makers.

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