On May 14, the Supreme Court postponed ruling in the lawsuit over the company’s deceptive medicine advertisements against yoga guru Ramdev and managing director (MD) Balakrishna of Patanjali Ayur Ved.
The top court gave Ramdev and Balkrishna three weeks to prepare an affidavit outlining the actions taken to recall the advertisement for drugs for which their license has been withdrawn, and they were excused from making a personal presence for the time being.
After giving it further thought, the Supreme Court has questioned Dr. Asokan, the president of the Indian Medical Association, on his decision to speak with the media about the court’s rulings in this matter. “You act in the same manner as Patanjali. Since you are an expert, don’t you see the ramifications of such actions? The court remarked, “You cannot sit on your couch and bemoan the court’s order.
The Supreme Court questioned the president of the IMA, saying, “What kind of example are you setting for 3.5 lakh doctors who are part of the association”?
The Supreme Court chastised state licensing bodies for their lack of initiative in combating false advertising related to pharmaceuticals. “Don’t sit in the comfort of your office,” SC urged.
On March 19, the court requested that Ramdev and Balkrishna personally appear in order to address the contempt charges against them for their continued use of deceptive advertising.
They were served with a notice of contempt by the court for posting product advertising that were against the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable advertising) Act, 1954, and its regulations.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a petition, and the orders were made in response.
Since then, the case has expanded to include claims made by other FMCG firms about the health benefits of their products, the behavior of physicians, and their involvement in the promotion of such items.