Uttarakhand Bans 14 Patanjali Products, Including Drishti Eye Drops and Madhunashini Vati: Check Full List Here

According to sources, the action to suspend these products’ licences comes in the wake of violations related to the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

30 April 2024

By Ishika Kumar

In a significant development, the Uttarakhand government’s drug licensing authority has announced the suspension of licences for 14 products manufactured by Divya Pharmacy, a unit of Patanjali Ayurved, led by the yoga guru Baba Ramdev, due to violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940. This decision marks a fresh setback for Ramdev, who has been at the centre of several controversies related to the advertising practices of his firm.

Suspended Products

The list of products affected by this regulatory action includes Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, Swasari Pravahi, Swasari Avaleha, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Lipidom, BP Grit, Madhugrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Livogrit, Eyegrit Gold and Patanjali Drishti Eye Drop. These products, often marketed as treatments for various health issues for years, have been under scrutiny for claims made in their promotions. These are suspended along with Ramdev’s medicines traditionally marketed and used for asthma, bronchitis, diabetes and more such health conditions or ailments.

Reasoning of the Suspension

According to sources, the action to suspend these products’ licences comes in the wake of violations related to the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The licensing authority cited inadequate provision of necessary product information which failed to be disclosed and unsatisfactory explanations and derailments from the firm as critical reasons for their decision. In a decisive move by the Uttarakhand state drug regulator, the manufacturing licences for these 14 products produced by Divya Pharmacy, have been suspended. The action, documented in a non-public order dated 15th April and reported by Reuters, was confirmed by Mithilesh Kumar from the state regulatory authority. The order specifies that the suspensions take effect immediately, adding a layer of urgency to the regulatory crackdown.

Public Apology and Legal Challenges

The backdrop of this regulatory action includes a recent apology issued by Baba Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna. This apology was part of an attempt to address the criticism and order from the Supreme Court of India regarding misleading advertisements published by Patanjali. The apex court had sharply reprimanded Ramdev for ads that allegedly overstated the efficacy of their products. Following the court’s rebuke, Patanjali had to publish apology notices in major newspapers, attempting to rectify the misleading information previously disseminated.

On 23rd April, the Supreme Court further demanded that Patanjali’s legal team submit a record of these apology advertisements, with the ongoing case set to continue in the high court shortly; the case related to the apology, which was published, will be heard in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 30th April as the court had earlier remarked regarding the misleading ads being much bigger and prominent than the apology issued in the newspaper. 

He has although, in recent weeks, appeared before judges at the top court dressed in his saffron-coloured robe, a trademark to his long-standing reputation and brand image of yoga and wellness. He has asked for forgiveness, but the judges have not accepted his apology so far and they are considering whether to press contempt charges against Ramdev, according to Reuters.

Criticism Faced from the Medical Community

Adding to Patanjali’s woes, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has been vocal in its criticism of Baba Ramdev, especially concerning his controversial statements regarding modern medicine. Dr R V Asokan, president of the IMA, stated that Ramdev had “crossed the red line” by promoting his products as alternatives capable of treating COVID-19, while simultaneously disparaging allopathy as a “stupid and bankrupt science.” They express concern regarding the continuous publishing of misleading ads despite a court directive to stop them.

The Impact on Patanjali’s Reputation

These developments represent a major blow to the credibility of Patanjali Ayurved, a company that has risen to prominence largely due to its association with Baba Ramdev, a popular figure in traditional Indian wellness and yoga. Ramdev’s branding, which leans heavily on the trust placed in traditional remedies and nationalistic sentiments, has helped Patanjali position itself as a key player in the Indian Fast-Moving Consumer Goods or the FMCG sector. However, the ongoing legal battle and public backlash against misleading advertisements could potentially dampen consumer confidence and affect sales.

Recourse Ahead

As the case progresses in the Supreme Court, the future of the suspended products and the broader implications for Patanjali’s business practices remain uncertain. The company’s response to these regulatory challenges and its efforts to comply with advertising standards will be critical in determining its standing in the market.

Furthermore, the controversy highlights the growing concerns over the regulation of traditional medicines and supplements, which often claim to offer miraculous cures without substantial scientific backing.

This incident may prompt stricter scrutiny of advertising practices in the Ayurvedic and traditional medicine sectors, ensuring that consumer protection takes precedence over commercial interests. As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court’s final decision, which could set a significant precedent for advertising norms, respecting public health and safety guidelines and regulations within India’s burgeoning traditional medicine market, to prevent misinformation, inflated sense of brand quality and effect to cure.