Across UP, IMA protests bill to allow Ayush docs to prescribe allopathic drugs

MEERUT/AGRA/BAREILLY: A day ahead of the proposed introduction of a bill to allow unani and ayurvedic doctors to prescribe allopathic drugs in Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Indian Medical Association (IMA) doctors protested against the move across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. They claim that ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (Ayush) doctors do not have the knowledge to practise modern medicines.

“The bill is slated to be introduced in the Assembly on August 14. All the branches of IMA across the state strongly oppose this move, and are requested to submit to the district magistrate of their respective areas a memorandum regarding the matter,” read an order issued by Dr DR Rai, secretary general, IMA.

TOI had earlier reported that the state government was of the view that economic and modern medical aid should be provided to all the people of the state, especially in remote areas where there is a shortage of MBBS doctors but unani and ayurvedic doctors are available.

Dr Jitendra Chikara, president, IMA, Meerut, said, “The Ayush doctors are not aware of allopathic drugs. Judicious use of these drugs is not expected unless one is taught about the benefits and ill-effects of these medicines.”

Some IMA doctors, however, do not agree with this. “I think there is no harm if Ayush doctors are allowed to prescribe allopathic drugs under supervision of a specialist. MBBS doctors hardly practise in rural areas, and I think it is better that masses in the rural area approach Ayush doctors instead of quacks who can do more harm to them,” said a doctor on the condition of anonymity.

Dr Jayant Sharma, joint secretary, IMA, said, “How can unani and ayurvedic doctors recommend allopathic drugs to patients when it clearly violates a Supreme Court ruling on the matter? The apex court has clearly said that only those from this branch of medicine can prescribe allopathic drugs. There are two different entities with different ministries — ayush and health — overlooking their operations. We get Medical Council of India’s (MCI) approval after spending years to learn how to administer allopathic medicines.”

IMA state president Sharad Agarwal said, “The focus should be to improve traditional medicines instead of allowing the practitioners to do what they do not know well.”

In Agra, a delegation of IMA doctors on Thursday staged a protest and met additional district magistrate Rajesh Kumar Srivastav to express their grievances. And in Bareilly, doctors said they would submit a memorandum to the ADM against the government’s move.

Meanwhile, welcoming the government’s move, Dr Ranjan Vishad, ayurveda and yoga physician, said, “Ayush doctors are well qualified as they too study medicine for four-and-a-half years. The syllabus covers almost everything — the only difference is that the streams are different. We also undergo internship where we get knowledge of allopathic medicines. The whole idea is to make medical facilities available to the common man residing in rural as well as sub-urban areas.”

(With inputs from Eram Agha, Anit Yadav)