Maharashtra Gives Homoeopaths Nod To Prescribe Modern Medicines, IMA Goes On Strike

Published 5 August 2026 · health

News india Maharashtra Gives Homoeopaths Nod To Prescribe Modern Medicines, IMA Goes On Strike Maharashtra Gives Homoeopaths Nod To Prescribe Modern Medicines, IMA Goes On

News india Maharashtra Gives Homoeopaths Nod To Prescribe Modern Medicines, IMA Goes On Strike Maharashtra Gives Homoeopaths Nod To Prescribe Modern Medicines, IMA Goes On Strike Published By, Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 09:12 IST The decision comes despite sustained opposition from the IMA and several doctors' organisations, which announced an indefinite agitation against the policy. Representative image Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to allow qualified homoeopathy practitioners to prescribe modern medicines, triggering a statewide protest by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and resident doctors who have raised concerns over patient safety and the integrity of modern medical practice. The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) on Tuesday night began registering practitioners who have completed the BHMS–Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), enabling them to prescribe allopathic medicines under the state’s framework. The move follows a government resolution mandating the council to commence registrations. The decision comes despite sustained opposition from the IMA and several doctors’ organisations, which announced an indefinite agitation against the policy. Following a meeting with the state medical education department on Tuesday, the IMA joined hands with the Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), Maharashtra State Resident Doctors Association, Association of State Medical Interns, Maharashtra Association of Gazetted Medical Officers’ Group-A and Maharashtra State Medical Teachers Association to launch a statewide protest from Wednesday midnight.

IMA Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kulkarni said, “On Wednesday midnight, we will withdraw all regular (elective) and non-emergency medical services." He further warned, “It will remain suspended till 6am on Thursday. If govt does not take any concrete and satisfactory actions by then, we hereby announce an indefinite shutdown of medical services, including emergency medical services, from 6am on Thursday." In a joint statement, the participating organisations backed Central MARD’s stand, arguing that patient safety and evidence-based medical practice should not be compromised. They demanded that the registration and implementation of the BHMS-CCMP programme be put on hold until the Bombay High Court delivers its final verdict and a legally sound, scientifically validated regulatory framework is established. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Council of Homeopathy defended the rollout, saying the registration process had formally begun. Administrator of the council Dr Bahubali Shah said, “The first registration of BHMS-CCMP practitioners in the MMC register was confirmed late on Tuesday evening. The first homeopathy practitioner received her registration certificate online. This is in line with the govt GR which was issued on Monday and mandated the MMC to begin registrations as soon as possible.