Ayurvedic, other traditional drug makers under scanner as Ayush ministry issues warning over misleading ads – News18

Advertisements claiming 100% safe, guaranteed treatment or permanent cure from Ayurvedic, Homeopathic or other traditional medicines are now under the scanner. The Ministry of Ayush has issued a warning to all ayurvedic, siddha, unani and homeopathic manufacturers to strictly adhere to labeling and advertising norms, failing which they could face legal action.

This comes in the wake of the controversy over misleading advertisements by Patanjalis, which led to a public apology from the Supreme Court. The ministry has provided a clarification, which was accepted News 18regarding products that make unsubstantiated claims or display false information, such as a green logo claiming to be 100% vegetarian or falsely indicating that the medicine is approved or certified by the ministry.

Giving details of all the laws and rules covering misleading advertisements in the country, the ministry has asked manufacturers to strictly comply with labeling provisions and advertisements of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy medicines.

Any misleading claim or advertisement in any form or platform will attract consequential legal action by relevant authorities, the advisory said.

The ministry has directed state drug licensing officials to scrutinize all such drugs that claim to be certified or approved by the Ministry of Ayush, either on the label or in advertisements, and ensure compliance. The Ministry of Ayush has informed that some manufacturers of Ayush medicines mention certified or approved by the Ministry of Ayush on the label of their medicine or product or in advertisement in print and electronic media, he said.

While the ministry clarified that it has no role in granting licenses or manufacturing approvals for any Ayush medicine or product, it warned that in future any such claims on the label or the ad will attract consequential legal action against the alleged manufacturer by the Ministry of Ayush. .

Action against false claims

The notice said products claiming to be 100% safe, free from side effects, guaranteed treatment or permanent cure or having nutraceutical value for Ayush drugs or products are incorrect. He added that licenses from the state drug licensing authority should not be interpreted as an endorsement by the Ministry of Ayush.

He further said that the license issued by a state authority is only a permission to manufacture or sell a particular drug or product based on compliance with the conditions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

The notice has been marked to various authorities including all State Ayush Drug Licensing Authorities with a request to send a copy to all license holders under their jurisdiction. It is also marked for all Ayush medicine manufacturers and their associations.

It has also been sent to the National Center for the Coordination of Pharmacovigilance which monitors and designs the safety profiles of medicines, including issuing alerts, in case any medicine presents new side effects. The center has been asked to ensure notification of such claims for approval or certification by the Ministry of Ayush to the concerned State Licensing Authority under a direction to such Ministry of Ayush.

List of laws to sanction manufacturers

The other half of the notice mentions various existing laws, which have provisions for labeling of ayurvedic, siddha and unani (ASU) drugs. Also, Rule 106A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, has provisions for labeling of homeopathic medicine, he said. He also pointed out that the provisions relating to advertisement, including Ayush medicines, are prescribed under the Drugs and Magical Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

In addition to these, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019; the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995; The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 are a few acts or regulations that have provisions to control misleading advertisements, he said.

Browse live updates on Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 in regions including Kerala , Karnataka , Noida and West Bengal . Stay informed about major groups, voting trends and candidate statistics. Get real time updates related to Lok Sabha Election 2024 on News18 website.