The Karnataka High Court has ruled that doctors holding an MD degree in Anesthesiology do not require any separate certification to possess, prescribe, or dispense essential narcotic drugs for pain relief, palliative care, or opioid-based treatment. The court held that an MD in Anesthesiology is a recognized postgraduate medical qualification under the National Medical Commission and adequately fulfills the training requirements prescribed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Rules.
The ruling came while allowing a petition filed by the Indian Society of Anesthesiologists, Mangaluru branch, and others, who challenged a communication issued by the State Assistant Drugs Controller. The communication had denied renewal of Registered Medical Institution (RMI) certification to certain hospitals on the ground that doctors with an MD in Anesthesiology lacked separate…
