Anushka Mansharamani
On 15th December, the Supreme Court passed an order that all qualified Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) doctors can prescribe mixtures, immunity boosters, and all government-approved tablets to the COVID-19 patients.
This can be done so following the order passed by the Ministry on 6th March.
Although they can prescribe them, the bench observed that they cannot advertise them as a cure of COVID-19.
This order was passed after the appeal was filed in the Supreme Court against the order passed by the Kerala High Court on 21st August, which stated that the AYUSH doctors would not have the authorization of prescribing tablets, mixtures, or any other cures for COVID-19, and they can do so only as immunity boosters.
According to the order passed by the Kerala High Court alternate medicines in the form of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy could be used to enhance immunity.
It further forbids the doctors from advertising or prescribing medicines except for those which have been mentioned in the Centre’s advisory on 6th March.
This appeal in the Apex Court against the Kerala High Court was filed by Dr. AKB Sadbhavana Mission School of Homeo Pharmacy.
