Rs 400 Crore/Year Spend On Magical Cure Ads

PSM News /

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 6 MAY 2019: A study conducted by CAPSULE (campaign against pseudoscience using law and ethics) found that advertisements offering magical remedies by non-registered medical practitioners is thriving in state.

 

The study said that at least 80-90 advertisements are seen in various media each day and the money spent on such advertisements by these non-registered medical practitioners in Kerala is almost ₹ 400 crore a year.

 

"The study done in Thiruvananthapuram alone has found that the 36% of the advertisements offered remedies for sexual disorders. These advertisements assume significance since none of the drugs or remedies offered are scientifically proven. It is easy to fleece patients offering magical cure. Since these drugs are sold and brought in a secret manner, people who purchased them won't complain," said state president of Kerala State Government Ayurveda Medical Officers Association Dr Sharmad Khan.

 

Though these advertisements come under Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements Act) 1954, people who are giving such advertisements are not punished since this law is not applicable to them.

 

"These rules are applicable to registered medical practitioners and licensed manufacturers. These people escape the law," said Dr Khan, who conducted the study.

 

We found 80 products which are exploiting customers through false claims and magical remedies for various diseases. As many as 74 people/firms are involved in giving such advertisements in state, said Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad's MP Anil Kumar under whose aegis the study was conducted.

 

"Most products offering magical remedies come as food supplements. Hence, we are unable to act against them. The other practice we have found is that doctors from outside the state offer treatment through advertisements. The drugs control department cannot take action against such treatment. MCI must bring stringent measures to ban such practices," said state drugs controller Ravi S Menon.The Times Of India