Is the government encouraging ‘crosspathy’?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

Context

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued a directive allowing homeopathic practitioners, who have completed a certificate course in modern pharmacology, to prescribe allopathic medications.

 Previous Notification and Legal Challenge

• In 2017, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drug Department had issued a notification allowing homeopathic practitioners with the Licentiate of the Court of Examiners of Homeopathy degree (issued from 1951-1982) to practice modern medicine.
• This was later challenged in the Bombay High Court by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), questioning the safety and risk of allowing these homeopathic practitioners to prescribe modern medicines.
• The court issued a stay on the notification, raising concerns about potential harm to patients if homeopathic practitioners were allowed to practice allopathy.

Confusion Over Recent FDA Directive

• The IMA expressed confusion over the Maharashtra FDA’s recent directive, as the central homeopathy body does not permit its practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines.
• The IMA also clarified that the directive issued by the FDA does not allow homeopathic practitioners to practice modern medicine, as the High Court’s stay is still in place.

What is ‘crosspathy’?

Crosspathy is when a practitioner of one medical system, like homeopathy, prescribes treatments from another system, such as allopathy. For example, a homeopath prescribing allopathic drugs for a patient’s illness. The practice of ‘crosspathy’—the act of practicing medicine outside one’s qualifications—is banned by the Supreme Court, which has previously ruled it as medical negligence.

 Supreme Court’s Stance on ‘Crosspathy’

• In the 1996 case Poonam Verma versus Ashwin Patel, the Supreme Court found that a homeopath who prescribed allopathic medications was guilty of negligence, as they lacked the required qualifications.
• The Court has consistently ruled that cross-system practice, or prescribing treatments outside one’s medical expertise, is considered negligent, unless authorized by the government through specific orders.

Concerns Regarding ‘Crosspathy’:

Potential for Misdiagnosis and Incorrect Treatment: Practitioners outside their expertise may lack necessary knowledge, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments. Drug Interactions and Side Effects: Combining medications from different systems increases the risk of harmful drug interactions and unexpected side effects. Ethical Concerns: Cross-pathy practice may violate ethical principles of providing competent, safe care and be considered professional misconduct. Lack of Clear Regulations: The absence of regulations governing cross-pathy practice creates ambiguity and potential legal issues.

 Shortage of Doctors in India

• India faces a severe shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. As of June 2022, there are over 13 lakh allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors in India.
• The shortage of specialist doctors is critical, with reports revealing an 80% shortage in community health centers in rural areas.
• Experts argue that while mid-level health providers can offer quality care, it is important to integrate them properly into the system.
• Allowing alternative medical practitioners to take on roles meant for trained doctors could lead to confusion and mismanagement.

Conclusion

• The Maharashtra FDA’s directive has raised legal concerns and confusion regarding the role of homeopathic practitioners.
• Patient safety is at risk if proper guidelines are not followed.
• A more structured integration of healthcare professionals is essential.

Practice Question:  Evaluate the implications of “crosspathy” on patient safety, medical ethics, and the healthcare system’s integrity. (150 Words /10 marks)

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