Rajasthan Chemists Warn of Indefinite Strike Over Rs 880 Crore Unpaid Govt Dues

Jaipur: A major crisis is brewing in Rajasthan’s healthcare supply chain, with chemists and pharmacists across the state warning of an indefinite strike over unpaid government dues of nearly Rs 880 crore. The mounting backlog has left thousands of medical shops and suppliers struggling to stay afloat, sparking concerns of medicine shortages if the issue remains unresolved.

Chemists allege that payments for medicines supplied to government hospitals, primary health centres, and other facilities have been delayed for months. Many small-scale shop owners say they are under severe financial strain, with distributors unwilling to provide fresh stock while earlier bills remain pending. The situation, they warn, could soon bring routine supplies of essential drugs to a grinding halt.

Representatives of chemist associations have demanded immediate intervention from the state government and a fixed timeline for clearance of outstanding bills. They argue that while promises have been made on multiple occasions, concrete action is missing, leaving over 10,000 pharmacies affected. For many, cash flow has dried up to the extent that staff salaries and basic operations have become difficult to sustain.

Also Read: Chemist Body Seeks Transition Period, GST Input Adjustment After Tax Cut, Writes to CM

The associations are now preparing to escalate their agitation and have indicated that if dues are not cleared promptly, supply to government institutions will be stopped. This would directly hit patient care in public health facilities, especially those in rural areas heavily dependent on state-run medical services.

According to PTI, the chemists’ bodies have already sent repeated representations to the health department, but with no satisfactory response so far. The looming strike, if carried out, could have a ripple effect on healthcare delivery across Rajasthan.

Also Read: Puducherry launches raids against private chemists flouting norms on anti-TB drugs sale

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CCMP row: Maha doctors to intensify protest if Govt fails to act

Mumbai: After holding a state-wide strike on September 18 against the registration of homoeopathic practitioners with a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) under the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), doctors under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have now announced their next course of action.

The IMA has decided to wait for seven days for a positive response from the state government. If the controversial notification allowing CCMP-certified homoeopaths to register with MMC is not withdrawn, the doctors have warned of intensifying their agitation.

In a statement, the association stated that the next phase of the protest will include a long march, agitation at Azad Maidan, hunger strike, and complete withdrawal of health services across the state. The association said that this movement will involve nearly two lakh allopathic doctors and their associations.

Also read- Around 1.8 lakh doctors strike in Maharashtra against Homeopath-CCMP registration

At the same time, the IMA has stated that it will also approach the Supreme Court over the issue. The body has appealed to its members to contribute generously to the legal fund to strengthen their case.

This comes after the association, on September 18, met with the Chief Minister at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and handed over their memorandum. After this, the government took cognisance of their strike and requested the doctors to call off their strike.

Observing that their protest had reached higher levels, the association decided to wait for seven days for the government’s response to the matter. 

Medical Dialogues recently reported that nearly 1.8 lakh doctors across Maharashtra staged a strike opposing the state government’s move to allow homeopathic practitioners with CCMP to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council.

While emergency and critical services were unaffected, doctors from government, BMC, and private hospitals participated. The protest followed the government’s fresh circular on September 5, reviving CCMP registration despite earlier withdrawal.

Earlier this year, the state government directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to register homoeopaths who had completed the one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), to allow them to prescribe allopathic medicines to patients in select cases.

However, the notification was withdrawn after the IMA Maharashtra members, who planned a strike on July 11 but deferred it until further notice, met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and explained about the confusion among patients.

The government issued a fresh circular on September 5, reviving the registration process. A fresh government resolution (GR) was issued in this regard on September 5, upsetting allopathic practitioners, who decided to go ahead with the 24-hour strike.

“All 231 branches of IMA Maharashtra observed the strike seriously on 18th September 2025. It was one of the biggest strikes in recent times,” said the association in a recent statement after the strike. 

Expressing gratitude to resident doctors and other medical associations for joining the strike in solidarity, IMA said, “We deeply appreciate the joining of MARD in Strike & Our Strength doubled. We thank each and every allopathic practitioner who kept OPDs and hospitals closed and participated in the protest. We also thank MAGMO and MSMTA, who supported the protest by wearing black ribbons. Special thanks to AMC, MSRDA, ASMI, AFPI FAIMA FORDA and all associations of allopathic doctors who shut down their clinics and hospitals. We also appreciate the participation of corporate hospitals.”

What is the issue?

The CCMP course was started based on the Government Resolution dated 13.03.2014. The course was conducted under the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik. After successful completion, eligible homeopathic practitioners received training in allopathic (modern) medicine to serve in public healthcare services. In 2014, the Maharashtra Medical Council issued a notice in which the council was given the authority to ask all doctors who have completed the CCMP course to register with the council.

Back in 2017, the State Medical Education and Drugs Department passed a notification and allowed Homeopaths to practice modern medicine and register with MMC. However, allopathic doctors strongly opposed this move and the matter ultimately resulted in IMA challenging the amendments in the Bombay High Court in 2014. Consequently, the HC bench stayed the notification.

While the matter was awaiting a court judgment, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) had, on June 30, officially decided to allow homeopathic practitioners who completed the CCMP course to register with the council and prescribe allopathic medicines. MMC was directed to register CCM-qualified around 10,000 to 90,000 homeopathic doctors in Maharashtra, in a separate register starting July 15. However, the decision was put on hold and the Government suspended the registration process after IMA warned to initiate a statewide strike.

Following this, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department formed a seven-member special committee to decide whether homoeopathic doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) should be allowed to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council and practice modern (allopathic) medicine.

Registration of CCMP-qualified Homeopaths with MMC:

The Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to start the registration of homoeopathy practitioners who have completed a one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).

This resulted in a strong protest among the medical practitioners across the State. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that IMA had termed the Government’s decision as “dangerous” and “a threat to public health”, and it had also highlighted that the government’s order was in contempt of court as the matter was already pending before the High Court.

Again, on 12th September 2025, the association wrote to the Chief Minister and expressed its deep concern and strong objection to the recent circular issued by the Medical Education and Drugs Department, Government of Maharashtra. IMA mentioned in the letter that the direction to the Maharashtra Medical Council to give registration to CCMP (Certificate Course in Modern Medicine and Surgery for Practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine), passed homeopathic medical practitioners, “poses a serious threat to the safety and quality of healthcare services.”

The association demanded an immediate stay on the decision to register CCMP doctors in the Maharashtra Medical Council and urged the Government not to implement any decisions until the pending High Court case is resolved. As per the association, only fully trained and qualified MBBS doctors should be granted licenses for modern medicine.

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KEAM 2025: Kerala Releases Third Phase Allotment List for B.Pharm Admissions

Thiruvananthapuram: The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala has published the third phase allotment list for B.Pharm admissions under KEAM 2025. With the fresh round of allotments released, students can now check their results and proceed with the admission process within the stipulated timeline.

As per the notification, candidates who have secured seats in this phase must remit the prescribed fees through online payment before 2 pm on September 23, 2025. Following fee payment, they are required to report to the allotted college by 3 pm on the same day to confirm their admission. Failure to remit the fees or join the allotted institution within the deadline will result in cancellation of the allotment.

Also Read: Over 14,000 B.Pharm, D.Pharm Seats Filled in MP, Vacancies Push Second Round

The Allotment Memo available on the candidate’s home page provides complete details including name, roll number, allotted college, allotment category, and fee amount. Along with this, students must also download the Data Sheet for reference. Both documents should be preserved carefully as the allotment memo issued in this phase will not be available for download later.

Candidates must carry all necessary documents specified under clause 11.7.1 of the KEAM prospectus while joining the allotted college. For assistance, helpline numbers 0471-2332120 and 0471-2338487 have been made available by the authorities.

According to a recent media report in Mathrubhumi, the allotment has been released to ensure timely completion of the admission process for pharmacy courses across Kerala.

Also Read: Maha: Direct Second-Year B.Pharm Admissions via Diploma Route Surge 60% in 2 Years, Reach 14,010 in 2025-26

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Payments to Consultant Doctors classified as Professional Fees, Not Salary, says Bombay HC

In a recent judgment, the Bombay High Court has held that payments made to consultant doctors are not salary in the absence of a fixed pay, and therefore, TDS (Tax Deduction at Source) is deductible under Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

This observation was made by the Court while considering an appeal filed by the Commissioner of Income Tax, TDS-1, Mumbai, challenging the order dated 8th September 2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal under the provisions of Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

Payments to consultant doctors not salary: Bombay HC

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600 Super-speciality seats lying vacant- Madras HC tells MCC, DGHS to conduct NEET SS mop up round

Chennai: The Madras High Court recently issued directions to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), operative under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to conduct mop-up counselling for the National Eligibility-Entrance Test (NEET) Super-Specialty 2024-2025 exam to fill up vacant seats and enable successful candidates to get their preferred courses.

The HC bench comprising Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan passed the order while considering a plea filed by some doctors who prayed for orders to conduct the mop-up counselling to fill all vacancies across several states.

While considering the matter, the court directed the DGHS and MCC to conduct the mop-up counselling within four weeks.

Also Read: NEET SS: Doctors express concern over vacant seats, demand another counselling round

As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, the counsel for the petitioners, senior counsel P H Arvindh Pandian, submitted that out of the 5,000 super specialty seats available in medical colleges across the country, as many as 600 are lying vacant after two rounds of counselling under the NEET-SS and an additional round will benefit the candidates and will also fill up the seats.

The petitioners’ counsel submitted before the Court that the denial of mop-up counselling will result in arbitrary and unjustified non-utilisation of valuable resources of public and private medical educational institutes, particularly in the high-demand, prestigious institutes. Therefore, it will defeat the objective of equitable access to medical education, submitted the counsel.

Senior counsel Arvindh Pandian further submitted before the HC bench, “The Super Specialty seats are a valuable public resource created at significant cost and must not remain vacant. The respondents’ failure to include TN’s unfilled seats in the national counselling process has resulted in wastage, warranting a mop-up round to ensure optimal seat utilisation in public interest.”

On the other hand, the counsel for the authorities, including DGHS, Additional Solicitor General of India A R L Sundaresan, opposed the plea, arguing that the counselling sessions for PG Super Specialty courses were conducted by DGHS in strict compliance with the orders passed by the Supreme Court in the case of Anish Ranjan. In that case, the Apex Court bench had fixed strict time schedules, there cannot be any extension of time, argued the ASG.

The DGHS’s counsel submitted that the Supreme Court fixed the last date on August 31 of every year and therefore, a fresh mop-up round cannot be held in September after the cut-off dates are over. Further, the ASG pointed out that the relief sought by the petitioners was highly belated and the academic year had already begun. 

After considering the arguments, the HC bench granted relief to the petitioners and directed the authorities, including the DGHS, to conduct the mop-up counselling.

The High Court’s ruling come amid the demands from the superspeciality candidates to hold another round of counselling for NEET SS 2024. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that, highlighting that several superspeciality seats are still vacant even after three rounds of NEET-SS 2024 counselling, aspirants were urging the Government authorities to hold another round of counselling to prevent wasting these seats.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that more than 1500 super-speciality seats were lying vacant even after two rounds of National Eligibility-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET-SS) 2024 Counselling. Back then, the doctors had urged the authorities, including the National Board of Examinations (NBE), to lower the cut-off before the next round of counselling.

Consequently, back in July, NBEMS reduced the qualifying percentile for NEET SS 2024 stray round counselling and announced that all the candidates who had appeared for the NEET SS-2024 exam with an eligible broad-speciality degree (MD/MS/DNB) shall be allowed to participate in the stray round of NEET-SS Super Specialty Counselling 2024.

Also Read: NEET SS: Doctors flag concern over vacant seats, call for another counselling round

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Punjab MBBS Bond Policy Requires Rs 20 Lakh Property Sureties Faces Backlash

Punjab’s new MBBS bond policy, requiring government medical college MBBS students to pledge two properties worth Rs 20 lakh as sureties, has drawn criticism.

The move has sparked widespread backlash from parents, students, the Resident Doctors Association, and IMA Punjab, who call the rule “regressive and punitive,” arguing it places an unfair burden on middle- and lower-income families and could deter meritorious students. Parents have suggested alternatives such as bank guarantees or withholding permanent registration.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

Punjab MBBS Bond Policy Demands Rs 20 Lakh Property Sureties; Draws Backlash

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Younger Women Face Distinct, Underdiagnosed Heart Attack Risks: Mayo Study

Many heart attacks in people under 65, especially women, stem from factors beyond clogged arteries, challenging old assumptions according to Mayo Clinic. A 15-year study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology examined data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, revealing nontraditional causes like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and embolism frequently trigger heart attacks in younger women.

spontaneous coronary artery dissection, which often affects younger healthy women, is commonly misdiagnosed as classic artery plaque buildup, leading to ineffective treatments. While atherosclerosis remains the most common cause in men and women, it accounted for just 47% of heart attacks in women versus 75% in men. The study highlights the need for better diagnosis and awareness to prevent harmful interventions and improve outcomes, especially for women, urging patients to advocate for thorough evaluations when symptoms appear atypical.

Reference: Raphael, C, Sandoval, Y, Beachey, J. et al. Causes of Myocardial Infarction in Younger Patients: Troponin-Elevation in Persons ≤65 Years Old in Olmsted County. JACC. 2025 Sep, 86 (12) 877–888.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.07.012

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Health Bulletin 20/September/2025

Here are the top health stories of the day:

NEET PG 2025: Supreme Court to hear transparency plea on September 23

The Supreme Court will hear the plea seeking transparency in the National Eligibility-Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 exam on September 23.

The Apex Court bench has listed the matter at the top of the board on September 23, and proceedings will begin with the NEET PG 2025 case.

“List on 23-9-2025 on top of the Board,” the Apex Court bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan ordered on 19.09.2025, when the matter came up for hearing.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a group of NEET-PG 2025 aspirants filed a plea before the Supreme Court challenging the “corrective notice” issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on August 21.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

NEET PG 2025 Transparency Case Set for Supreme Court Hearing on September 23

Punjab MBBS Bond Policy Requires Rs 20 Lakh Property Sureties Faces Backlash

Punjab’s new MBBS bond policy, requiring government medical college MBBS students to pledge two properties worth Rs 20 lakh as sureties, has drawn criticism.

The move has sparked widespread backlash from parents, students, the Resident Doctors Association, and IMA Punjab, who call the rule “regressive and punitive,” arguing it places an unfair burden on middle- and lower-income families and could deter meritorious students. Parents have suggested alternatives such as bank guarantees or withholding permanent registration.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

Punjab MBBS Bond Policy Demands Rs 20 Lakh Property Sureties; Draws Backlash

Payments to Consultant Doctors classified as Professional Fees, Not Salary, says Bombay HC

In a recent judgment, the Bombay High Court has held that payments made to consultant doctors are not salary in the absence of a fixed pay, and therefore, TDS (Tax Deduction at Source) is deductible under Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

This observation was made by the Court while considering an appeal filed by the Commissioner of Income Tax, TDS-1, Mumbai, challenging the order dated 8th September 2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal under the provisions of Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

Payments to consultant doctors not salary: Bombay HC


Younger Women Face Distinct, Underdiagnosed Heart Attack Risks: Mayo Study

Many heart attacks in people under 65, especially women, stem from factors beyond clogged arteries, challenging old assumptions according to Mayo Clinic. A 15-year study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology examined data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, revealing nontraditional causes like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and embolism frequently trigger heart attacks in younger women.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, which often affects younger healthy women, is commonly misdiagnosed as classic artery plaque buildup, leading to ineffective treatments. While atherosclerosis remains the most common cause in men and women, it accounted for just 47% of heart attacks in women versus 75% in men. The study highlights the need for better diagnosis and awareness to prevent harmful interventions and improve outcomes, especially for women, urging patients to advocate for thorough evaluations when symptoms appear atypical.

Reference: Raphael, C, Sandoval, Y, Beachey, J. et al. Causes of Myocardial Infarction in Younger Patients: Troponin-Elevation in Persons ≤65 Years Old in Olmsted County. JACC. 2025 Sep, 86 (12) 877–888.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.07.012

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NEET PG 2025: Supreme Court to hear transparency plea on September 23

The Supreme Court will hear the plea seeking transparency in the National Eligibility-Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 exam on September 23.

The Apex Court bench has listed the matter at the top of the board on September 23, and proceedings will begin with the NEET PG 2025 case.

“List on 23-9-2025 on top of the Board,” the Apex Court bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan ordered on 19.09.2025, when the matter came up for hearing.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a group of NEET-PG 2025 aspirants filed a plea before the Supreme Court challenging the “corrective notice” issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on August 21.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

NEET PG 2025 Transparency Case Set for Supreme Court Hearing on September 23

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Govt targets WHO-recommended doctor-patient ratio: NMC Chairman

New Delhi: National Medical Commission (NMC) Chairman Dr Abhijat Sheth on Saturday emphasised the government’s commitment to uniformly increasing the number of doctors across the country to meet the WHO-recommended doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000.

He said this while presiding over the 11th convocation ceremony of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here, news agency PTI reported.

Sheth congratulated the graduating students as well as their parents and faculty members for their dedication in guiding and motivating them towards a service in healthcare.

Also Read:Doctors undergoing PG medical courses without joining duty not entitled to salary: HC

He emphasised the government’s commitment to increasing the number of doctors in the country to meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation of maintaining a uniform doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000 countrywide.

The NMC chairman also shared information about ongoing efforts to achieve a balanced undergraduate (UG) to postgraduate (PG) ratio of 1:1, aiming to elevate the quality of India’s healthcare system to the standards of developed countries.

He also highlighted innovative initiatives being introduced by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences and the NMC, such as integrating skill-based and virtual learning alongside traditional physical education, to fulfil the requirements of competency-based medical education.

Sheth encouraged the students to prioritise their own health and well-being to persevere through challenges and remain lifelong learners.

In her address to the graduating students, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Sunita Sharma said, “You are not merely receiving a degree today, you are shouldering a profound responsibility — to heal, to lead and to serve the nation in whatever capacity you choose.”

Whether pursuing clinical care, medical research or education, she advised, “Let your work be driven by empathy, evidence and excellence.”

Emphasising the sanctity of the medical profession, Sharma said, “This is a noble calling built on compassion and an unwavering commitment to human life”, reports PTI.

She encouraged the graduates to remain humble and grounded, no matter how far they go or how much they achieve in life.

Also Read:Karnataka PPP model trains over 300 DNB doctors, strengthens specialist healthcare access

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