Hyderabad has witnessed a major crack-down on illegal medical practice after authorities discovered that several unqualified individuals have been running clinics across multiple parts of the city and prescribing allopathic medicines to unsuspecting patients. The revelation came following targeted inspections conducted by the Telangana State Medical Council in collaboration with local district administrative officials.
During the operation, inspectors visited numerous clinics and medical shops spread across areas including Secunderabad, LB Nagar, Kukatpally, and parts of Old Hyderabad. They found that the practitioners at several of these centers did not hold any recognized medical qualification — no MBBS degree, no registered medical license, and no enrollment with the state or national medical commission. Despite this, they were actively consulting patients, diagnosing conditions, and issuing prescriptions for allopathic drugs, many of which are prescription-only medications.
Doctors and health activists who spoke to media outlets described the findings as deeply troubling. They warned that when people with no formal medical training prescribe powerful allopathic drugs, the consequences can range from delayed proper treatment to adverse drug reactions, antibiotic resistance, and in severe cases, loss of life. Patients visiting such clinics often do so because of lower costs and shorter waiting times, unaware that they are placing their health in unsafe hands.
The Telangana government said it would take strict legal action against those found guilty of illegal practice. Under the National Medical Commission Act and relevant state laws, engaging in medical practice without a registered qualification is a criminal offense punishable with imprisonment and fines. Officials stated that registrations of pharmacies found complicit in supplying prescription drugs to unqualified practitioners would also be suspended pending investigation.
Medical professionals' bodies have long flagged the menace of quackery in urban centers like Hyderabad, where rapid urbanization and a high density of small nursing homes make it difficult for regulators to monitor every clinic. While the state has previously conducted similar drives, critics argue that the recurring nature of such findings points to systemic gaps in enforcement and the need for more frequent, surprise inspections.
Authorities have urged the public to verify the credentials of any doctor before seeking treatment and to report suspected illegal medical practice to the health department or the medical council helpline.
