Ayush Ministry issues warning over misleading advertisements, Ayurvedic and other traditional pharmaceutical companies also come under investigation

Ads from Ayurvedic, homeopathic, or other traditional pharmaceutical companies that claim “100% safe,” “guaranteed treatment,” or “permanent cure” are currently under scanner. The Ministry of Ayush has issued a warning to all manufacturers of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. Labeling and advertising regulations must be strictly followed and non-compliance may result in legal action.

This comes in the wake of controversy over Patanjali’s misleading advertisements, which prompted the Supreme Court to demand a public apology. The ministry provided an explanation. news 18making unsubstantiated claims, such as featuring a “green logo” claiming to be “100% vegetarian” or falsely stating that the drug is “approved or certified by the Ministry.” or products that display false information.

The ministry details all laws and regulations covering misleading advertisements in the country and urges manufacturers to “strictly adhere” to labeling regulations and advertisements for Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha and homeopathic medicines. asked.

“Misleading claims or advertisements in any form or platform may result in legal action by the competent authorities,” the advisory said.

The ministry has ordered state drug licensing authorities to inspect all medicines that claim on their labels or advertisements to be “certified or approved by the Ministry of Ayush” to ensure compliance. The Ayush state said some Ayush drug manufacturers mention in the labels of their medicines and products or in advertisements in print and electronic media that they are “certified or approved by the Ministry of Ayush.”

The ministry has clarified that it has no role in granting manufacturing licenses or approvals for Ayush medicines or products, but any future such claims on labels or advertisements will “ultimately result in the agency being identified as the manufacturer.” “This will trigger legal action against those who do so.” Ayush”.

Actions against false claims

This recommendation is false for products that claim to be “100% safe,” “no side effects,” “certain treatment,” “permanent cure,” or products that claim that Ayush medicines and products have value as nutritional supplements. said. It further added that approval by the State Drug Licensing Board “should not be construed as approval by the Ministry of Ayush”.

It further said that licenses issued by state authorities are only permissions to manufacture or sell specific medicines or products, subject to fulfillment of conditions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

This advisory has been communicated to several authorities including all Ayush State Drug Licensing Authorities and requested to forward a copy to all licensees under their jurisdiction. Also marked are all Ayush pharmaceutical companies and their associations.

This information was also sent to the National Pharmacovigilance Coordination Center, which monitors and designs the safety profile of medicines, including issuing warnings, in case medicines report new side effects. The Center has been asked to “ensure that any such claims of approval or certification by the Ministry of Ayush are reported to the concerned National Licensing Authority on the intimate knowledge of the Ministry of Ayush”.

List of laws punishing manufacturers

The other half of the recommendation refers to the implementation of several laws that have provisions for the labeling of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) medicines. “Furthermore, Regulation 106A of the Drugs and Cosmetic Products Rules, 1945 has provisions for the labeling of homeopathic medicines,” the report said. It also highlighted that the provisions relating to advertisements containing medicines in Ayush are prescribed under the Drugs and Magical Remedies (Offensive Advertisements) Act, 1954.

“In addition to these, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019; the Cable Television Networks Act of 1995; and the Emblem and Name (Prevention of Improper Use) Act of 1950, one of the few laws with provisions to regulate misleading advertising. or regulations.”

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