Regulatory Crackdown on Patanjali's Claims
Government Legal Action
The Uttarakhand government notified the Supreme Court in an affidavit that it has permitted filing a suit against Baba Ramdev’s Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. This action is in reaction to repeated breaches of medication advertising standards, which resulted in suspending production licenses for 14 of their products. According to the affidavit, the State Licensing Authority issued a public notice advising against ads that violate the law, underlining the potential legal penalties such as fines, jail, or both.
Specific charges and suspended liscences
On April 12, the Drug Inspector in Haridwar was granted permission to file a complaint against the organizations as mentioned earlier under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act of 1954 for ongoing breaches.
The State Licensing Authority suspended manufacturing licenses for products like ‘Swasari Gold,’ ‘MuktaVati Extra Power,’ and others, effective immediately under the relevant regulations.
Legal proceedings and the response of the medical community
A criminal complaint was also filed against Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Limited, citing relevant provisions of the Act. The affidavit acknowledges the continuing of legal proceedings against the relevant entities in compliance with the law and Supreme Court orders.
Previously, the apex court had directed officials from the State Licencing Authority and District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar, to explain their inaction regarding these matters.
The Indian Medical Association has also called for action against Patanjali for breaching regulations that prohibit advertising certain products for specific medical conditions.
Patanjali had earlier assured the Supreme Court that it would refrain from making unsubstantiated claims about its products’ medicinal properties or promoting them unlawfully, promising not to make derogatory statements against any medical system in the media.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
