While the panellists shared instances of how quackery had harmed innocent lives, they also concluded that the existing legal provisions are inadequate.
Published Nov 09, 2025 | 12:26 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 09, 2025 | 12:44 PM
Panel discussion on Quackery in dermatology problems and pathways at Dakshin Health Summit 2025.
Synopsis: At the panel discussion on Quackery in dermatology: problems and pathways at the Dakshin Health Summit 2025, eminent dermatologists discussed how quackery affects patients and how unqualified practitioners can be identified.
A patient seeking treatment for baldness turned to an unregistered practitioner instead of a qualified doctor. Over time, he underwent more than six procedures at these centres and paid over ₹1.5 lakh — only to find his baldness worsening further.
“When he eventually visited me, I found that it was a kind of scarring alopecia. Only a qualified dermatologist will know this condition,” said Dr Madhavi Reddy, senior dermatologist and a core committee member of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists-Aesthetic Qualifications and Learning Enhancement Course (IADVL-AQLEC), during the second edition of South First’s Dakshin Health Summit at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) at Gachibowli in Hyderabad on Sunday, 9 November.
Another panellist, Dr Nazia Nousheen Siddiqua, core committee member of IADVL-AQLEC and specialist dermatologist, recalled an instance where a patient consulted an unqualified doctor for a laser treatment on her face. “She had a wedding that she had to postpone because of the bad effects of the treatment,” Dr Nazia said.
Several such instances were shared during a panel discussion on “Quackery in dermatology: problems and pathways,” where quacks posing as genuine medical practitioners have caused irreversible harm to innocent citizens.
“We felt bad for them. We wish the patients could have come to us before to prevent the progression of the condition,” lamented Dr Madhavi.
Dermatologist and Chairperson of the Anti-Quackery Cell of the IADVL, Dr Rajetha Damisetty pointed towards three kinds of quacks: Those with any related medical qualification or no related medical qualification at all; those that have the right to fix ‘Dr’ ahead of their name; and those who are only a qualified physician and no dermatology qualifications.
“The most contentious is the third category, where a qualified physician claims to be a dermatologist. They will display MBBS, MD, without specifying the exact qualification. They could be MD pathology or microbiology, which is still quackery,” Dr Rajetha said.
Hence, the panellists urged citizens to check the credentials of doctors whom they are visiting. Dr Sreenivas, Vice Chairman, Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), explained that a dedicated website has been launched to verify doctors’ credentials and certificates. Each doctor is provided with a QR code containing verified details, including qualifications recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Dr Madhavi further said that a quack is usually someone who uses pressure tactics to convince a patient to take up their package. “A patient can be vigilant by looking at all these tactics,” she said.
While acknowledging that every citizen has the right to know and question the qualifications of the doctor they are consulting, panellists also agreed that doctors shouldn’t make claims of specialisation without appropriate qualifications.
Dr Amarendra Pandey, Dermatologist & Laser Surgeon, Jabalpur, who was moderating the discussion, said, “Honesty is the best policy. You are not doing a favour to anyone by being ethical. Don’t advertise things which are not true. Do not make tall and false claims.”
He also urged other councils from across the country to allow patients to check the registration and qualifications of doctors and clinics, similar to what the TGMC has initiated.
While the panellists shared instances of how quackery had harmed innocent lives, they also concluded that the existing legal provisions are inadequate.
Recalling one such instance, where two dentists in Uttar Pradesh conducted hair transplants on two engineers, who eventually died due to the treatment. “The police did not register an FIR in the case initially. It was only after the victims’ families and pressure from media attention that the police registered an FIR,” said Karam Komireddy, an eminent lawyer who has experience in practising at the Supreme Court and the High Court for the state of Telangana.
He said that while the doctors in this case were booked for criminal negligence, the punishment is only two years, along with it being a bailable offence. “In my opinion, it is culpable homicide. The doctor had knowledge that this (treatment) would cause death. So the punishment should at least be 10 years,” Komireddy said.
However, the advocate, along with other panellists, recognised the trend of people going to quacks in India. It stems from a variety of factors, including affordable healthcare. When treatment doesn’t go well, the cumbersome process of approaching courts and filing complaints deters patients from pushing for criminal action. “The process is often the punishment,” Komireddy said.
Meanwhile, the loss of trust and excessive financial burden post the treatment from quacks also adds on. “Quacks are spoiling society by taking shortcuts. It is a dishonest business. They are spoiling the skin and finances of the patients,” Dr Nazia said.
Ending the discussion, panellists pressed for a central penal law against quackery. Cases related to quackery under the existing legal provisions under the National Medical Commission Act and the Telangana Medical Practitioners Registration Act are bailable offences, Komireddy said. “There is a need for anti-quackery law. While courts have very little to do, the onus is on the parliament,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
