Letting other system doctors give allopathic drugs dangerous: IMA

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Wednesday opposed a health ministry directive allowing practitioners of homeopathy, ayurveda and siddha to dispense allopathic medicines for common health problems, saying it could prove to be dangerous.

At a press conference here, the IMA said the notification is an apparent attempt by the ministry to play with the lives of the innocent citizens in the garb of providing effective health care.

"The IMA unequivocally and in clear terms, opposes the said letter because it is contrary to the existing law and will have adverse consequences on the health of the innocent citizens," said IMA general secretary Narendra Saini.

"The Ayush department is well aware that practitioners of alternate medicine do not possess the knowledge, expertise, understanding and the intellect to understand the basics of allopathic medicines before prescribing it to patients."

Citing shortage of doctors at the level of primary health centres and sub-centres, a letter by a senior health ministry official has asked for practitioners of Indian systems of medicine (ayurveda, unani, siddha) to be included in the mainstream.

The letter asks state medical councils to amend their respective laws and provide an enabling provision allowing enrolment of such medical practitioners.