Do not use Homeo drugs for COVID-19 treatment, Kerala HC

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday termed illegal prescribing Ayush drugs as antidote to COVID-19 other than as means to boost immunity.

There is no ban on prescribing Ayurveda, Homeo, Sidha and Unani medicines for boosting immunity. Some of these drugs have been approved by both Central and State governments for improving immunity, however directed Ayush doctors not to prescribe them as drugs for COVID-19.

The Division bench directed authorities to take action invoking Disaster Management Act against Ayush doctors in the event of them prescribing or advertising these drugs as treatment for COVID-19, while asking police and health authorities to be watchful of their activities.

The court was responding to a petition submitted by Kozhikode native lawyer M.S Vineeth seeking direction from the court to allow Homeopathy doctors to treat and boost immunity of Covid-19 patients.

The petitioner alleged that Kerala was not abiding by the directions by The Ministry of Ayush.

The State government argued that Homeopathy, among others, had not been included in the guidelines set for treating patients in quarantine and contact list.

However, homeopathy department's guidelines had been included in the immunity programme. The court disposed the petition considering these suggestions.