The Ministry of Ayush has asked its officials to notify manufacturers of Ayurveda, homeopathy, and other traditional medicines to submit a ‘Self-Declaration Certificate’ (SDC) before releasing any advertisements, News18 has learnt.
Aimed to curb misleading advertisement and protect consumer interest, the move has been triggered by the Supreme Court of India via its order dated May 7 where the apex court mandated that all advertisers and advertising agencies must submit a Self-Declaration Certificate before publishing or broadcasting any advertisement.
Starting June 18, 2024, every advertiser must submit this certificate, signed by an authorised representative, through the Broadcast Seva Portal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) before any advertisement is aired on TV channels or published in print or digital media.
Following the new rule, on May 31, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sent a letter to Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of Ayush requesting awareness regarding the new rule.
The Ministry of Ayush represents traditional practices and medicines where Ayush stands as an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha & Sowa Rigpa & Homeopathy. In the past, the industry of Ayush medicines has been under the scanner for misleading ads.
The letter by Sanjay Jaju, secretary, MIB told Kotecha, “As your ministry plays a crucial role in public health and related fields, we seek your support in raising awareness about these new requirements among stakeholders in your respective domains.”
Following the request, Ayush Ministry asked all state and union territory officials known as “Ayush Drug Licensing Authorities” to inform all Ayush based drug manufacturers about “new features on Broadcast Seva Portal of MIB for TV & Radio and Press Council of India’s portal for print, digital, internet media, for necessary compliance.”
Under the new rule, all broadcasters and publishers must strictly comply with this requirement and refrain from broadcasting or publishing any advertisement until a valid self-declaration certificate is submitted by the advertiser. It is their responsibility to ensure that advertisers have submitted the necessary self-declaration certificate before airing their advertisements.
Ayush Ministry Working on Cleaning Misleading Ads Ecosystem
The ministry of Ayush, in April, had issued a warning to all ayurvedic, siddha, unani, and homeopathic manufacturers to strictly comply with labeling and advertising regulations, failing which they could face legal action.
The ministry’s move came after the controversy involving Patanjali’s misleading advertisements, which prompted the Supreme Court to demand a public apology.
The ministry informed the industry to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims or display false information, such as featuring a “green logo” claiming to be “100% vegetarian” or falsely stating that the drug is “approved or certified by the ministry”.
It said that advertisements claiming “100% safe”, “guaranteed treatment”, or “permanent cure” from ayurvedic, homeopathic or other traditional drugmakers will be under the scanner.
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