The Supreme Court has asked for a proper system to handle complaints about misleading medical advertisements under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act (DMR Act). A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan has asked senior lawyer Shadan Farasat to submit a note on how the Act should be implemented.
The court stressed that a mechanism must be set up for people to report false medical claims, and strict action should be taken against those violating the law. It also directed that a proper grievance redressal system be created.
Additionally, the court has summoned the chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir to appear virtually on March 7. They have to explain why they haven’t followed orders regarding misleading medical ads.
This case is based on a plea by the Indian Medical Association against Patanjali’s advertisements, which criticized allopathy and claimed to cure diseases. Yoga guru Ramdev and his associate Balkrishna have already apologized.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had also asked all states and union territories to report on actions taken against such ads since 2018. It warned that chief secretaries might be summoned if the matter isn’t taken seriously.
This step by the Supreme Court aims to protect people from false medical claims and ensure proper regulation of drug advertisements in India.
