In recent days, a fierce disagreement has shaken Maharashtra’s healthcare sector. The state government’s decision is to allow homoeopathic practitioners who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) — thus permitting them to practice allopathic medicine under assured conditions, and because of that a common protest has been started by resident doctors, medical associations, and allopathic practitioners.
What Is the CCMP & What’s Changed
- The CCMP (Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology) is a course under Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) that allows homoeopathic practitioners (BHMS) to receive training in pharmacology and modern (allopathic) medicine.)
- A government resolution dated 5 September 2025 directed that homeopathic doctors who have completed this CCMP be granted registration in the MMC.
- The MMC is to set up a separate register for these CCMP-qualified homoeopathic practitioners. Though registration is allowed, the MMC has said these practitioners will not be considered fully “allopathic doctors,” and there may be standard operating procedures (SOPs) limiting their scope of practice.
Why the Medical Community Objects
Doctors and various medical bodies are voicing strong opposition. Their concerns fall under several broad categories:
- Patient Safety & Quality Care
Allopathic doctors argue that a one-year (or shorter) course with limited clinical experience/training cannot be a substitute for the rigours of MBBS, which includes general clinical training, internships, and experience to wide-ranging medical conditions. They fear that prescribing modern (allopathic) medicines without full training could lead to a misdiagnosis, mistakes in drug dosage, opposing reactions, antibiotic resistance, etc. - Dilution of Medical Standards & Public Trust
Many in the allopathic community believe that allowing such limit weakens the honesty of the medical profession, confuses patients, and challenges trust. They argue that regulatory and educational standards exist for a reason—to ensure safe, evidence-based care. - Monitoring, Legal & Ethical Fears
There are claims that the decision wars with guidelines by bodies such as the National Medical Commission (NMC). Also, doctors resist matters are sub judice (pending before the Bombay High Court), and the government resolution should not be executed until the court rules. - Equity & Resource Arguments
Opponents say the state should instead address shortages of MBBS doctors through increased seats, better postings in rural areas, or incentives, rather than lowering entry standards. Some homeopathic associations counter that MBBS doctors often avoid serving in remote areas, creating a gap that CCMP practitioners could fill.
The Protests & Responses
- Black Ribbon Protests: On Tuesday (September 16-17, 2025), resident doctors, interns, and medical students across government medical colleges in Maharashtra wore black ribbons during duty hours as a symbolic protest. B J Government Medical College in Pune saw over 350 resident doctors and interns participating.
- Token Strike: Allopathic bodies, including IMA (Indian Medical Association), MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors), senior resident associations, and other medical officer associations have declared a 24-hour token strike starting 8 AM, 18 September 2025 to protest the decision. During the strike, out-patient (OPD) services and elective procedures will be suspended, although emergency services are expected to continue.
- Formal Appeals: IMA has submitted letters to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging reversal of the government resolution of September 5. They also demand that only qualified MBBS holders be licensed for allopathic practice until further judicial clarity.
The Homeopathic Perspective
- Homeopathic associations argue that the CCMP is legally approved, the curriculum is valid under MUHS, and that the SOPs or restricting the registration would be “illegal.” They claim the course addresses gaps in rural/underserved areas.
- They maintain that CCMP does not seek to replace MBBS, but to empower homeopathic practitioners to handle basic emergencies and primary care using modern medicines where MBBS doctor availability is limited.
Implications & What’s at Stake
- If the government proceeds with the registration, it could set a precedent allowing alternative medicine practitioners enhanced prescribing rights in modern medicine, which may ripple across other states too.
- There are concerns about legal challenges: since some petitions are already pending in the Bombay High Court, any policy implemented prematurely may face judicial pushback.
- For patients, the risk could be confusion over what level of care to expect, especially when many are unable to distinguish between different qualifications or scopes of practice.
What’s Already Happening & What’s Next
- As of September 17, 2025, MMC has launched a portal for CCMP practitioners to register.
- Emergency services are being kept operational during protests and strikes. Routine OPDs, elective surgeries are mostly suspended during strike actions.
- The medical community has warned of escalation: if the government does not rollback or modify the decision, protests could become larger in scale or go national.
Looking Ahead
The issue raises fundamental questions about medical regulation, education, patient safety, and how healthcare systems should address shortages. Some aspects to watch:
- How the High Court rules in pending petitions challenging the governmental resolution.
- What kind of standard operating procedures (SOPs) the MMC imposes on CCMP-qualified practitioners—how much limitation there is in their prescribing rights, practice settings, supervision etc.
- Whether the government responds by increasing MBBS seats, better incentives for doctors in rural areas, or other alternative policy measures to address doctor shortages without creating contention.
- How patients, especially in rural and marginalized regions, perceive and respond to these changes.
Conclusion
The CCMP registration decision has catalysed a fierce and widespread response from Maharashtra’s allopathic medical community. While homeopathic practitioners and their associations protect their legal rights and the determination of service in underserved areas, opponents argue the move weakens both public health and the honesty of evidence-based medical practice. With large-scale protests already ongoing and legal battles pending, the coming days will be serious in determining whether the policy stands as is, is modified, or is withdrawn entirely.