Amaravati — In a move aimed at curbing misleading medical advertisements, especially in the domain of traditional medicine, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav has authorized 13 government AYUSH doctors to take action under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
The decision follows the Supreme Court’s directive urging states to implement a redressal mechanism to address false medical claims. The step is part of the state’s larger push to tighten surveillance on deceptive promotions in both AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) and allopathic medicines.
Expanded Enforcement
- Until now, only one officer was responsible for monitoring AYUSH-related advertisements in the state.
- The 13 designated doctors will now be responsible for their respective 13 districts, enhancing ground-level enforcement.
- For allopathic medicines, 49 drug inspectors are already tasked with monitoring violations.
Scope of the Law
The 1954 Act prohibits advertisements that:
- Promote drugs claiming to prevent conception or miscarriage.
- Claim to enhance sexual performance.
- Claim to treat menstrual disorders.
Violators can face up to six years in prison, a fine, or both.
Minister’s Instructions
Minister Yadav directed the 13 doctors to take prompt action against any individual or entity involved in creating or disseminating such content. He also urged police officers to register complaints without delay, ensuring swift legal action.
This initiative signals a crackdown on medical misinformation, particularly targeting exploitative marketing tactics in the traditional medicine space.
