Against the backdrop of complaints about unqualified and unregistered medical practitioners in the state, Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) recently detected a unique case of a Pune based medical practitioner who holds a degree from a university overseas. MMC has warned the doctor in question to stop the practice as a degree from a foreign university is not valid as per the MMC Act. Section 33 of Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act also prohibits medical practice by unregistered practitioners.

This comes close on the heels of a state government constituted committee recently to discuss the actions to be taken against the bogus medical practitioners or quacks in the state. Though the anti-quackery cell in the state can file criminal cases against these bogus doctors, the formation of the committee will help MMC to discuss and explore the issue of growing number of quacks in the state in a detailed manner.

According to the complaints received by the Council, quacks operating in the state don't have proper qualification to carry out the duties of a medical professional.

The committee has been aimed at making a massive crackdown on quacks who have been operating out of Mumbai slums and remote areas where they target patients who are illiterate and have no access to safe medical treatment.

Currently, action can be taken against the quacks under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and under the provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC). State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can also take action against such bogus medical practitioners for violation of Section 18 (C) of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Schedule K of Rules.

Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC) had also detected 1400 such cases of bogus doctors in pharmacy inspections related to Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 last year and submitted the report to the district vigilance committee for further action.

One such case was of a Gadchiroli-based bogus doctor who was convicted for violating Section 33 of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961. The quack was sentenced to two years imprisonment with a fine of Rs.5000 in contravention to the provisions of the law.

MSPC had lodged an FIR against the doctor at Gadchiroli police station for treating patients and dispensing medicines without a valid registration and degree. Gadchiroli based bogus doctor posed as a qualified medical practitioner from State Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Council, Bihar which is invalid according to MMC records.