Modern vs. Traditional Medicine in India: A Legal, Political, and Public Health Debate
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Health (AYUSH, Different medical systems), Governance (Laws and Rules - National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Rules), Polity (Supreme Court judgments).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health; Government policies and interventions.
GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life (scientific basis of different medical systems).
Key Highlights from the News
A new debate has emerged regarding the role, status, and scope of practice of doctors in traditional Indian medicine systems like Ayurveda and Unani.
The Bhore Committee of 1946 had favored modern scientific medicine.
However, in 1970, the Indira Gandhi government passed a law that granted legal recognition to systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. This law was amended in 2020.
The main point of contention is whether Ayurvedic doctors have the right to prescribe modern medicines.
In the Dr. Mukhtiar Chand case of 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that Ayurvedic doctors do not have the right to prescribe modern medicines.
However, using the power under Rule 2(ee) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, many state governments permit AYUSH doctors to prescribe modern medicines.
In 2020, the Central Government allowed postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors to perform 58 minor surgeries. The constitutional validity of this is under court consideration.
This debate also has a political dimension, referred to as "Hindu pride."
The government is considering including AYUSH treatments in the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme.
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