CROSSPATHY: SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

CROSSPATHY: SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

NEWS: Why were homeopathic practitioners in Maharashtra allowed to prescribe allopathic medication?

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

The Maharashtra FDA’s directive allowing certified homeopathic practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines has sparked legal and ethical concerns, as crosspathy remains contentious due to patient safety risks and regulatory ambiguity. A shortage of trained doctors in rural areas exacerbates the debate on integrating alternative practitioners into healthcare.

1. Recent FDA Directive

  • The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued a directive allowing homeopathic practitioners, who have completed a certificate course in modern pharmacology, to prescribe allopathic medications.
  • This move has sparked concerns among medical professionals, as it raises legal, ethical, and safety questions, especially since crosspathy has been deemed medical negligence by courts.
  • The directive comes amidst a broader debate about how alternative medical practitioners should be integrated into India’s healthcare system.

2. Historical Context of Crosspathy in Maharashtra

  • 2017 Notification:
  • The Maharashtra Medical Education and Drug Department allowed homeopathic practitioners with the Licentiate of the Court of Examiners of Homeopathy (LCEH) degree (issued between 1951-1982) to practice allopathy.
  • The notification faced opposition from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), citing risks to patient safety.
  • Legal Challenge:
  • The IMA filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the notification.
  • The court issued a stay on the notification, raising concerns about the dangers of allowing homeopathic practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines without adequate training.

3. Supreme Court’s Rulings on Crosspathy

  • The Supreme Court has consistently ruled against crosspathy, labeling it as medical negligence unless explicitly authorized by the government.
  • Landmark Case (1996):
  • In Poonam Verma vs. Ashwin Patel, the Supreme Court ruled that a homeopathic practitioner prescribing allopathic drugs was guilty of negligence.
  • Recent rulings have reiterated that crosspathy violates ethical standards of medical practice and can lead to harm, mismanagement, and professional misconduct.

4. Concerns Regarding Crosspathy

  • Patient Safety:
  • Practitioners prescribing outside their expertise may lack adequate knowledge of the treatment, leading to misdiagnosis or incorrect prescriptions.
  • Drug Interactions:
  • The combination of treatments from different systems can result in harmful interactions and unexpected side effects.
  • Ethical Violations:
  • Crosspathy contravenes the ethical principle of providing safe, competent care and undermines the professional integrity of medical systems.
  • Regulatory Ambiguity:
  • The lack of clear legal frameworks governing cross-system practices leads to confusion, conflicts, and potential legal issues.

5. India’s Doctor Shortage and its Role in the Crosspathy Debate

  • Current Statistics:
  • As of June 2022:
      • India has 13 lakh allopathic doctors (with 10 lakh actively practicing).
      • There are 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, including homeopaths, ayurvedic practitioners, and others.
  • Specialist Shortage:
  • Community health centers in rural areas face an 80% shortage of specialist doctors, including surgeons, physicians, and pediatricians.
  • Debate:
  • Proponents argue that alternative practitioners can help bridge the healthcare gap in underserved areas.
  • Critics warn that allowing crosspathy without proper regulations risks mismanagement and patient harm in the absence of trained doctors.

6. Legal Ambiguities and Current Confusion

  • The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed confusion over the FDA directive, given that the central homeopathy regulatory body does not permit homeopaths to prescribe allopathic medicines.
  • The IMA clarified that the Bombay High Court’s stay on crosspathy remains in effect, and the FDA directive does not override the court’s decision.
  • This ongoing ambiguity highlights the need for clear, nationwide policies on the role of alternative practitioners.

7. Way Forward

  • Structured Integration:
  • Clearly define the roles of mid-level health providers and alternative practitioners to prevent cross-system mismanagement.
  • Focused Training:
  • Develop targeted training programs for practitioners in underserved areas while maintaining strict standards for prescribing allopathic treatments.
  • Strengthening Rural Healthcare:
  • Address the root cause of the debate—doctor shortages in rural India—by incentivizing allopathic doctors and specialists to serve in these areas.
  • Regulatory Frameworks:
  • Establish transparent guidelines to govern cross-system practices, ensuring accountability and safety.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/why-were-homeopathic-practitioners-in-maharashtra-allowed-to-prescribe-allopathic-medication/article69100179.ece