IMA Says Coronil Has No Regulatory Approval, Patanjali Hits Back

New Delhi, 20 March 2021: 

Another controversy has taken form for Patanjali Ayurved's Coronil, which was launched in June last year and was first advertised as a cure for the coronavirus infection but later licensed as an "immunity booster" after controversy erupted on its trial data and composition.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has now claimed that Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has not given permission for the use of Coronil for the treatment of Covid-19, citing a response it received from the regulator to a Right to Information (RTI) filed.

The RTI response states: "This office has not issued any certificate or permission for the use of Coronil in treatment of COVID-19. However, as per WHO certification scheme, which is a scheme of certification pf pharmaceutical product (COPP) to M/s Divya Pharmacy Unit (II)Haridwar for their product Divya Coronil Tablet, after examination of their application in consultation with Ministry of AYUSH.

"When the questions were sent to Central Drug Standard Control Organisation [CDSCO] through RTI, it replied that no certificate or permission for the use of Coronil for treatment of Covid-19 is given by them[sic]," the IMA statement said on the matter.

IMA national president Dr JA Jayalal said Coronil is not a drug that can be used as a "curative drug against Covid-19, adding that someone claiming so is "dangerous for the country".

The association has also demanded that appropriate protocol be followed for the treatment of the disease, without falling to "unscientific selfish-centred promotion of certain drugs and procedures".

Patanjali's response on Coronil not getting approval from DGCI

Responding to the IMA, Patanjali Ayurved said it is "indeed shocking" to realize the utterly poor basic comprehensive ability of the "so-called well educated medical science personnel" of the association, adding that its press release "reflects the gross misinterpretation" of the response given by CDSCO to the queries on Coronil tablet raised through an RTI dated February 23, 2021.

Patanjali highlighted that the CDSCO has clearly replied to the RTI saying it "has issued Certification of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) to M/s Divya Pharmacy Unit (II), Haridwar for their product Divya Coronil Tablet, after examination of their application in consultation with the Ministry of AYUSH [sic]”.

"CDSCO, in a letter dated March 12, 2021, has clearly replied saying “ as per the WHO certification scheme, which is a scheme of Certification of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the purpose of international commerce, i.e., for registration of products in foreign countries, CDSCO has issued Certification of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) to M/s Divya Pharmacy Unit (II), Haridwar for their product Divya Coronil Tablet, after examination of their application in consultation with the Ministry of AYUSH.

"In the same letter, CDSCO has rightly guided IMA to approach State Licensing Authorities (SLA), who, actually grants license for manufacturing for sale of Ayurvedic drugs under Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945. Kindly, refer to paragraph 2 of the CDSCO response letter to IMA. However, IMA without understanding the reply from CDSCO, went ahead and made extrapolated baseless remarks in its March 19, 2021 press release saying that no certificate or permission for use of Coronil for treatment of COVID-19 was given by CDSCO," Patanjali added.

Patanjali further said that with a second wave of the pandemic potentially looming overhead, IMA should be "investing its resources [intellectual and otherwise] in ensuring that the pandemic does not hit back the way it did the first time just a year ago".

"However, it is quite clear that IMA officials, who claims to be the elite group of medical practitioners vowing to uphold the noblest cause of healthy human life, is more interested in trying to downplay and sabotaging an effective complementary supporting measure against COVID-19. Time and again, their utter irrational comments on scientific research work that has backed-up Coronil, speak volumes about the scientific aptitude of the IMA personnel," Patanjali added.

We've never been against vaccination: Patanjali

Patanjali also said, "We have never been against vaccination. At a time like this, we, as a nation and as mankind should be doing whatever is required to protect ourselves from the pandemic, and this includes, but not limited to, strictly following the recommended COVID-19 containment and management protocols, including vaccinations.

"Therefore, IMA officials are suggested to do what a learned medical fraternity is expected to do instead of misguiding the public. This is not the time for IMA officials to react indignantly by foul-mouthing an effective supporting measure, like, Coronil in managing COVID-19 [sic].” Times of India