Established in 2006 by Ramdev and Balkrishna, Patanjali Ayurved has grown into a multinational conglomerateAcharya Balkrishna, the managing director of Patanjali Ayurved and a close associate of yoga guru Ramdev, has issued a formal apology to the Supreme Court regarding the company’s claims concerning the medicinal efficacy of its products.
This apology comes in response to the court’s stern rebuke of Patanjali Ayurved for failing to address a contempt notice concerning misleading advertisements. Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah had summoned Balkrishna and Ramdev to appear before the court on April 2.
In the affidavit submitted to the court, Balkrishna extended an apology and assured the court that the company would take necessary steps to prevent the dissemination of such misleading advertisements in the future.
However, Balkrishna clarified that Patanjali’s primary objective is to encourage citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles by incorporating its products, particularly those designed for lifestyle ailments, based on ancient literature and materials supported by ayurvedic research.
He also highlighted the company’s commitment to adhering to regulations, while suggesting that certain provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act might be outdated, especially considering the advancements in Ayurvedic research.
The affidavit also spoke about Patanjali’s investment in evidence-based scientific research, including clinical trials in ayurveda, to substantiate the efficacy of its products. This, Balkrishna contends, demonstrates the significant strides made in scientific understanding within the context of the diseases mentioned in the legislation.
“In light of the same it is humbly submitted that the Deponent’s only quest is for a better and healthier life for each and every citizen and to reduce the burden on the countries healthcare infrastructure by providing holistic, evidence based solutions for lifestyle related medical complications through the usage of age old traditional approach of Ayurveda and Yoga (sic),” it added.
Established in 2006 by Ramdev and Balkrishna, Patanjali Ayurved has grown into a multinational conglomerate that manufactures a long list of products, ranging from ayurvedic medicine to cosmetics to food items.
However, the conglomerate has recently encountered turbulence following misleading advertisements regarding the efficacy of its products.
This issue came to a head on Tuesday when the Supreme Court reprimanded Patanjali, highlighting its failure to address a notice for contempt proceedings. In response, the court summoned Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before it, underscoring that Patanjali Ayurved’s advertisements directly contradicted an assurance given to the court the previous year.
On November 21 last year, Patanjali’s legal representative had assured the court that the company would strictly adhere to all applicable laws, particularly those governing advertising and product branding. It was stated that there would be no further dissemination of casual statements asserting medicinal efficacy or disparaging any system of medicine through media channels.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which alleges a smear campaign by Ramdev against the Covid vaccination drive and modern medicine at large.