Patanjali’s Divya Pharmacy: Licenses Suspended for 14 Products in Uttarakhand

Patanjali’s Divya Pharmacy has faced a recent setback as the Uttarakhand licensing authority suspended manufacturing licenses for 14 of its products. This action came in response to persistent complaints regarding misleading advertisements, which were found to violate both the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act and the Drugs and Cosmetic Act. Among the suspended products are Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, Swasari Pravahi, and Swasari Avaleha.

This move marks the latest development in an ongoing legal battle involving yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his company. The Supreme Court has repeatedly admonished Ramdev for non-compliance with directives aimed at curbing misleading advertising practices. The case stems from allegations by the Indian Medical Association that Patanjali has disparaged conventional medicines and persisted in publishing deceptive ads despite court orders to desist. Ramdev has publicly acknowledged his company’s wrongdoing and issued apologies via newspaper advertisements. Contempt charges against Ramdev are currently under consideration by the judges.

The list of 14 products whose licences were suspended included Ramdev’s traditional medicines for asthma, bronchitis and diabetes.

On Monday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) strongly criticised Baba Ramdev for his claims of curing Covid-19 and his derogatory remarks against modern medicine labelling it as “stupid and bankrupt science.” “He went against the national interest when the government was driving the vaccination programme. He said 20,000 doctors died after taking two doses of the Covid vaccine. And he was having such a high profile that you know people believed what he said. That was the unfortunate part of it,” IMA president Dr R V Asokan said.