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PCS ParikshanJammu & Kashmir Switch to Hindi
Supreme Court Criticized States Over Illegal Ayurvedic Ads
Why in News?
The Supreme Court criticized several states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and the Union Territory of Delhi for their failure to act against illegal advertisements promoting Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.
- Chief secretaries of non-compliant states have been ordered to appear before the court via video conferencing to justify their inaction.
Key Points
- Senior advocate acting as amicus curiae, pointed out that states were letting violators off with apologies and undertakings instead of taking stricter actions.
- The court emphasized the need for states to enforce Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, to curb illegal advertisements effectively.
- Jammu & Kashmir along with Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and Gujarat have been directed to file affidavits regarding their enforcement of Rule 170 by the end of February 2025.
- Rule 170 deals with the power to take action against objectionable or misleading advertisements about Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.
- Jammu & Kashmir along with Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and Gujarat have been directed to file affidavits regarding their enforcement of Rule 170 by the end of February 2025.
- Background of the Issue:
- In August 2024, the Supreme Court stayed a notification by the Ministry of Ayush that omitted Rule 170, calling it contradictory to its 7 May, 2024, order.
- The apex court on 7 May, 2024 directed that before an advertisement was permitted to be issued, a self-declaration should be obtained from the advertisers on the line of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.
- The Ministry of Ayush had earlier issued a letter in August 2023 advising states not to take action against violators, citing procedural delays in finalizing a gazette notification.
- The case stems from a 2022 petition by the Indian Medical Association, which alleged that Patanjali had launched a misinformation campaign against Covid vaccines and modern medicine.
- In August 2024, the Supreme Court stayed a notification by the Ministry of Ayush that omitted Rule 170, calling it contradictory to its 7 May, 2024, order.
Indian Medical Association (IMA)
- Indian Medical Association is the only representative, national voluntary organisation of Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine, which looks after the interest of doctors as well as the well being of the community at large.
- IMA is a founding member of World Medical Association.
