Uttarakhand Authority Cancels Licenses for 14 Patanjali Products

The Uttarakhand government has taken action against Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd for repeated violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. This includes the suspension of manufacturing licenses for 14 of their products. The State Licencing Authority has issued a public notice warning of strict disciplinary and legal action for publishing advertisements contrary to the law, which may result in fines, imprisonment, or both. The affidavit filed by the State Licensing Authority, Ayurvedic and Unani Services, stated that permission was granted to the Drug Inspector, Haridwar to file a complaint against the companies.

The manufacturing licenses for 14 products of Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd were suspended with immediate effect under Rule 159(1) of The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Further, a criminal complaint was filed against Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, Divya Pharmacy, and Patanjali Ayurved Limited by the District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar under Sections 3, 4, and 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. In response to the action taken, the Indian Medical Association has sought action against Patanjali for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, which prohibits the advertisement of certain products for the treatment of specified diseases and disorders. The ayurvedic company had previously promised the Supreme Court that it would not make any casual statements regarding the medicinal efficacy of its products or advertise them in violation of the law.

It also pledged not to release any statements against any system of medicine to the media. The Supreme Court had ordered the Joint Director of the State Licencing Authority and all officers holding the post of District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar from 2018 onwards to file their respective affidavits explaining their inaction. The SLA has stated that it will continue to take all necessary steps against the companies as per the prescribed procedure and the directions issued by the Supreme Court.