The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Supreme Court of India expressed strong disapproval of the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) practices regarding the prescription of expensive and unnecessary medicines. During a hearing, Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah remarked that the IMA needs to address its internal issues, especially concerning allegations of unethical practices.
The court’s criticism emerged during a case against Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd., which the IMA accused of conducting a smear campaign against the COVID-19 vaccination drive and modern medicines. The Justices pointed out that while the IMA accused Patanjali, they too were implicated in similar practices, suggesting a hypocritical stance from the association.
The apex court also broadened its scrutiny to include misleading health claims by Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, emphasizing the potential harm to various demographics, including babies, school children, and senior citizens. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were impleaded as parties to further investigate these claims.
Highlighting the gravity of misleading advertisements, the court questioned the actions taken by the government and various licensing authorities across states and union territories in the past three years. The bench underscored the need for consumer protection and informed public decisions regarding health products.
During the same hearing, the court also addressed a recent apology issued by Patanjali in 67 newspapers regarding their misleading advertisements, questioning whether these apologies were as prominently displayed as their original advertisements. The hearing has been adjourned until April 30, awaiting further evidence from Patanjali’s legal representatives.
The Supreme Court’s actions reflect its commitment to upholding ethical standards in advertising and medical practices, stressing the importance of transparency and consumer rights in the health sector.
