Madras High Court Rules on Siddha Practitioners' Allopathy

The Madras High Court ruled that Siddha practitioners in Tamil Nadu are allowed to practice modern medicine but cannot store allopathic medicines without a license, in accordance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Justice G Jayachandran clarified that while there is no prohibition on practicing modern medicine, the case against a Siddha doctor for stocking allopathic drugs was upheld due to lack of a valid license. The court emphasized that only licensed professionals are permitted to store, sell, or distribute drugs, as per Section 18(c) of the Act. The ruling stems from a petition by S Sindhu, a registered Siddha practitioner, who faced legal action for stocking allopathic medicines at her clinic. The court directed the lower magistrate court to expedite the case's disposition but maintained the legality of the original complaint. This decision highlights the tension between traditional and modern medical practices in the region.