New Delhi, April 30, 2024: The Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority, invoking Rule 159(1) of The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, has taken decisive action to suspend the manufacturing licenses for 14 Patanjali products with immediate effect.
This development follows a series of legal disputes surrounding the multinational company’s advertising practices, particularly its assertions against evidence-based medicine. Additionally, the Uttarakhand licensing body has issued a formal apology to the Supreme Court for its prior handling of the matter, acknowledging its failures in addressing the misleading advertisements propagated by Patanjali Ayurved, especially those undermining evidence-based medicine and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
An affidavit submitted by the licensing authority expresses regret and outlines measures being taken to rectify the situation.
In response to a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Supreme Court had earlier rebuked the Uttarakhand government and the licensing body for perceived negligence in curbing Patanjali’s advertising practices. The affidavit emphasizes the Uttarakhand body’s commitment to taking firm action against Patanjali Ayurved Limited to uphold regulatory standards.
Furthermore, the affidavit offers an unconditional apology for any inadvertent non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives and reaffirms the suspension of manufacturing licenses for Patanjali’s products.
Previously, the Supreme Court had warned of imposing substantial fines for false claims in Patanjali’s advertisements and had instructed the company to cease such practices. Although initial dissatisfaction was expressed with the apology affidavits filed by Patanjali Ayurved and its founders, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, subsequent efforts were made to address the issue, including the publication of apologies in newspapers.
The matter is set for further deliberation by a Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah today, on April 30.
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