A fierce national debate has reignited over whether graduates of traditional Indian medicine systems\u2014Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, together called AYUSH\u2014should legally use the \u201cDr\u201d prefix and prescribe modern medicines. While the government allows this under certain conditions, allopathic doctors argue it\u2019s not just misleading\u2014it\u2019s dangerous.<\/p>\n
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for stricter boundaries to prevent what it calls “mixopathy” and “crosspathy”\u2014where practitioners of alternative medicine prescribe allopathic drugs without sufficient training. They fear this practice puts patient safety at risk, especially in rural India where healthcare awareness is low.<\/p>\n
Risk to public health<\/p>\n
Allopathic doctors stress that prescribing modern medicine requires in-depth understanding of pharmacology, dosage, contraindications, and drug interactions. Without this, patients face risks like misdiagnosis, improper medication, and delayed care. <\/p>\n
\u201cAllowing lateral entry from the medical system into allopathy without full training not only insults the profession\u2014it endangers lives,\u201d says Dr Indranil Deshmukh from IMA Junior Doctors Network.<\/p>\n
The issue is not just theoretical. IMA members allege that many unqualified practitioners are misusing steroids and antibiotics, fuelling what they describe as a looming health crisis: antibiotic resistance. \u201cThis pandemic is more dangerous than COVID,\u201d one speaker warned.<\/p>\n
Also read: ‘Regressive, harmful’: Medical fraternity slams move to merge Ayurveda with MBBS course<\/a><\/p>\n Confusion in rural India<\/p>\n The controversy also underscores a lack of medical literacy among patients. In rural areas, many are unable to distinguish between qualified MBBS doctors and those from alternative systems simply because both use the title \u201cDr\u201d.<\/p>\n Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson for the IMA, explained the problem: \u201cWe are against quackery and mixopathy. You are a homeopathic or Ayurvedic practitioner, but you\u2019re practising modern medicine and calling it your own. This is mixopathy.\u201d<\/p>\n Chauhan further emphasized that such practices exploit the trust of rural patients. \u201cThey just see the prefix ‘doctor’ or the word ‘physician’ and assume they are in safe hands. That\u2019s where the real danger lies.\u201d<\/p>\n