Government Enhances Consumer Protection Measures Against Unverified Claims by Ayush Product Manufacturers
The Ministry of Ayush has taken significant steps to enhance consumer protection in the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani medicine sectors. Following the omission of Rule 170 from the Drugs Rules, 1945, the Supreme Court of India has intervened, placing a stay on this decision. The Ministry is actively working to prevent misleading advertisements and unverified claims by manufacturers of Ayush products through various initiatives, including a comprehensive pharmacovigilance program and public awareness campaigns.
Supreme Court Intervention on Rule 170
On July 1, 2024, the Ministry of Ayush issued a Gazette notification (G.S.R. 360(E)) that omitted Rule 170 of the Drugs Rules, 1945. This decision was made based on recommendations from the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB). However, the Supreme Court of India intervened on August 27, 2024, issuing an order to stay the notification regarding the omission of Rule 170 until further notice. As a result, the rule currently remains under judicial review, and its future will depend on the court’s forthcoming decisions.
Pharmacovigilance Program Implementation
To safeguard consumers, the Ministry of Ayush has implemented the Pharmacovigilance Program for Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy (ASU & H) drugs. This initiative operates under the Central Sector Scheme Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY). The program features a three-tier network consisting of a National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPvCC), five Intermediary Pharmacovigilance Centers (IPvCs), and 97 Peripheral Pharmacovigilance Centers (PPvCs) across India. These centers are tasked with monitoring and reporting misleading advertisements to the relevant State Regulatory Authorities, ensuring appropriate actions are taken against violators. The primary goal of this program is to enhance vigilance over Ayush drugs and minimize misleading advertisements, thereby protecting consumers from unverified claims.
Regulatory Measures Against Misleading Advertisements
The Ministry of Ayush is also enforcing the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits misleading advertisements and exaggerated claims related to drugs, including Ayush medicines. The Ministry has issued advisories to State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) to ensure compliance with this Act. Additionally, on October 8, 2024, the Ministry released a public notice to inform the public about the realities of ASU & H drugs. This notice was disseminated through 100 leading newspapers in multiple languages, urging consumers to be cautious of misleading advertisements.
Consumer Grievance Mechanisms and Online Initiatives
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has established the Grievances Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA) portal, which serves as a platform for consumers to report misleading advertisements. Since the regulation of television channels falls under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB), any instances of misleading advertisements broadcasted on TV are referred to MoIB for appropriate action. Furthermore, the Ministry of Ayush has launched an IT-enabled online portal called “Ayush Suraksha.” This platform, introduced on May 30, 2025, allows healthcare professionals and the general public to track reported misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions, enhancing transparency and accountability in the Ayush sector.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
