On February 27, the Supreme Court served a show-cause notice to Patanjali Ayurved and its Managing Director, Balakrishna, for reneging on their commitment to refrain from making deceptive claims in medicine advertisements. The court barred Patanjali from publishing ads asserting cures for diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, fevers, epilepsy, and lupus, as listed in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, covering 54 ailments.
Expressing strong disapproval, the court remarked that the entire country is being deceived, and the government seems oblivious. It criticized the Centre’s inaction and instructed it to submit an affidavit detailing steps taken to prevent companies from misrepresenting medicines in the media. Patanjali and its employees were cautioned against spreading misleading information about their products’ curative abilities.
The verdict stemmed from a writ petition by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) regarding misleading advertisements by certain companies. Despite a pledge in November by Patanjali not to publish misleading ads targeting modern medicines and vaccinations, the company continued its practices, prompting the court’s intervention.
In November 2023, the court had warned Patanjali against false claims in advertisements and indicated potential fines of up to Rs 1 crore for each product falsely asserting curative properties. The Supreme Court called for a comprehensive proposal from the Centre to address the broader issue of misleading medical advertisements.
The IMA raised concerns about Patanjali’s campaigns criticizing modern medicine and vaccination efforts. The court’s actions underscore the importance of holding companies accountable for accurate and ethical advertising practices, especially in the healthcare sector. The case emphasizes the need for regulatory measures to curb misleading claims and protect public health.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!