Doctors' Views on Quackery in Uttar Pradesh: A Questionnaire-Based Legal Study on Gaps, Reform Needs

Abstract

The unauthorized practice of medicine—commonly referred to as quackery—remains a deeply entrenched issue within India's public health system, especially in states such as Uttar Pradesh where access to qualified healthcare is uneven. Drawing on empirical data gathered through a structured questionnaire administered to licensed allopathic practitioners across both public and private healthcare institutions, this study explores their experiences and perceptions related to five key areas: the effectiveness of current legal provisions, their professional risks when addressing complications caused by quack interventions, institutional obstacles to reporting such practices, the sufficiency of legislative backing, and potential legal reforms.

What emerges is a compelling consensus: existing laws are widely seen as inadequate. Many doctors reported feeling both unsupported and vulnerable when dealing with the aftermath of quack-induced harm, particularly due to bureaucratic inertia and the lack of clear reporting protocols. A significant number also emphasized the chilling effect of administrative indifference, which discourages frontline reporting. Notably, there was substantial support among respondents for the introduction of a dedicated anti-quackery statute—one that would include clearer regulatory definitions and stronger enforcement tools. These practitioner insights underscore the urgent need for policy-level interventions grounded in frontline experience, and suggest that any meaningful legal reform must be informed not only by statutory review but also by the lived realities of medical professionals operating within India's overburdened health infrastructure.