The Madras High Court has ruled that while Siddha practitioners in Tamil Nadu can practice modern medicine, they are not permitted to store allopathy medicines without a license, as it violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Justice G Jayachandran clarified that a government order issued on September 8, 2010, allows registered members of the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council to practice modern medicine. However, storing allopathy drugs without a valid license remains illegal under Section 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
ALSO READ
The court made this observation while dismissing a plea by S Sindhu, a Siddha practitioner, who sought to quash criminal proceedings initiated against her for possessing allopathy drugs in her clinic. Drugs inspectors had seized 29 items of allopathy medicines from her clinic in Sembium, leading to charges of stocking and distributing drugs without the required license.
The court emphasized that the case was not about practicing modern medicine but about the illegal possession and distribution of allopathy drugs. It reiterated that the law mandates a license for storing or selling such medicines.
We strive to make a lasting impact on India’s policy and planning landscape through fair, unbiased, and incisive research based journalism.Â
But we can’t do it alone.
Together, we can create a better India, where policies are fair, planning is unbiased, and the truth prevails. Your contribution matters, and we shall be immensely grateful for your support.