Keywords: Misleading advertisement, IMA, false claims, Allopathic.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to Patanjali Ayurved, cautioning the company against making false claims about the efficacy of its medicines in advertisements targeting allopathic treatments. A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra directed Patanjali to refrain from publishing misleading advertisements and cautioned that a hefty fine of Rs 1 crore would be imposed for any proven false claims of curing specific diseases.
The court’s directive was issued during the hearing of a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The petition alleges that Patanjali’s advertisements not only disparage allopathic medicine but also contain unverified claims about the ability of its products to cure certain diseases. The IMA argues that such assertions by Patanjali violate existing laws, including the Drugs and Other Magic Remedies Act, 1954, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
In response to the concerns raised by the medical association, the Supreme Court bench took a firm stand, insisting that Patanjali must immediately cease the publication of misleading advertisements. The court emphasized that the company must exercise caution and ensure it refrains from making casual statements in the press that could mislead the public.
The court’s decision also involved a call to the Central government to provide workable recommendations on the matter. The hearing has been scheduled for February 5, 2024, allowing the government time to formulate appropriate measures to address the concerns raised by the IMA and the court.
Patanjali Ayurved, a well-known name in the field of Ayurveda, has faced criticism in the past for its marketing strategies and claims about the efficacy of its products. This recent warning from the Supreme Court serves as a significant development, highlighting the need for transparency and adherence to regulations in the pharmaceutical and healthcare advertising sector.
As the legal battle unfolds, the decision of the Supreme Court is anticipated to have far-reaching implications for how companies in the health and wellness industry promote their products, emphasizing the importance of accurate and substantiated claims to safeguard public health and uphold legal standards.
legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com, https://legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/litigation/sc-cautions-patanjali-against-making-false-claims-about-its-medicines-in-advertisements/105392544
Indiatoday.in , https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/supreme-court-warns-patanjali-misleading-ads-on-allopathic-medicines-2465790-2023-11-21
Written by: shalmali ugare,College: DES navalmal Firodia law college , pune ,Sem : 3rd Intern under legal vidhiya.
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