“Patanjali’s Licences Suspended in Uttarakhand; Supreme Court to Hear Apology Case”

In Short

• Uttarakhand authority suspends licences of 14 Patanjali products
• Suspension linked to misleading advertisements case
• Products include Drishti Eye drop, Madhugrit and Swasari Gold

The Uttarakhand licensing authority has taken decisive action by suspending the licences of 14 products manufactured by Patanjali’s Divya Pharmacy.

This move, aimed at addressing concerns regarding misleading advertisements, comes as a significant development in the ongoing legal battle involving the renowned yoga guru Ramdev’s conglomerate.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the licensing authority revealed its decision to suspend the licences of 14 Patanjali products, effective immediately.

Among the banned products are several popular items from Divya Pharmacy, including Drishti Eye drop, Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, and others.

This action follows the apex court’s scrutiny of Patanjali’s advertising practices, particularly in relation to claims made about the efficacy of its products.

During a previous hearing on April 23, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the prominence of Patanjali’s published apology in newspapers.

The court raised questions about the size and visibility of the apology, prompting Patanjali to publish a larger apology in response.

Prior to this, Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna had tendered an “unconditional and unqualified apology” before the Supreme Court regarding advertisements that made exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of Patanjali products, such as Coronil, during the pandemic.

The court had directed Patanjali to cease advertisements that purported to treat specific ailments, in accordance with the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

The upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court on April 30 will focus on the apology published by Ramdev and Balkrishna. Both individuals are expected to appear before the court to address the matter directly.

This legal saga underscores the importance of compliance with advertising regulations and serves as a reminder of the consequences for misleading claims in the healthcare industry.