In 2022, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) flagged "false" and "misleading" claims in Patanjali's advertisements.The Centre in its reply in misleading advertisements case involving Patanjali Ayurved and its founders, Yoga guru Ramdev and his associate Balkrishna told the Supreme Court it’s an individual’s choice whether they opt for Ayush or allopathic medicine and stressed the need to discourage the denigration of any healthcare system.
This comes in response to the Supreme Court’s criticism of Patanjali’s advertisements as being contrary to the law. The court had refused to accept an apology filed by Patanjali last month, noting that it is “not persuading this court” and “is more of a lip service”. After pulling up Ramdev and Balkrishna for inadequate affidavits, the top court asked Ramdev and Balkrishna to return today with fresh affidavits. Ramdev has since appeared before the Supreme Court in compliance.
The Supreme Court’s criticism also extended to the Centre “wondering why the government chose to keep their eyes shut”. The government, in its reply, clarified that while states possess the authority to address misleading advertisements promoting miracle cures, it has promptly engaged with the issue within the legal framework. Regarding Patanjali’s assertion of developing Coronil as a Covid-19 remedy, the government stated that the company had been instructed to refrain from such claims pending examination by the Ayush Ministry.
Highlighting a detailed interdisciplinary assessment, the government informed that the State Licensing Authority was advised that Coronil tablets should be considered solely as a supportive measure in Covid-19 management. The reply also says that proactive measures have been taken to counter false claims regarding Covid-19 cures, including directives to states and Union Territories to cease Ayush-related advertisements purporting to treat the virus.
The Centre’s affidavit says its existing policy advocates a model of “integrative healthcare system with integration of Ayush systems with allopathy”. “It is the choice of a person or a healthcare seeker to avail services of Ayush system or Allopathic medicine. Government encourages to utilise the strengths of each healthcare system for betterment of overall health of its citizens in a holistic manner. Therefore, it is most respectfully submitted that denigration of a system of medicine by the practitioner(s) of other system(s) of medicines as they lack the complete understanding of other system of medicine and this should be discouraged in public interest and mutual respect,” the Centre’s reply said.
In 2022, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) flagged “false” and “misleading” claims in Patanjali’s advertisements, particularly those that cast allopathy and doctors in a negative light. The IMA told the Supreme Court that these ads suggested that medical practitioners were dying despite taking modern medicine.