Supreme Court Suspends Ministry of Ayush Notification on Ayurvedic Drug Ads

The Supreme Court stayed a Ministry of Ayush notification that omitted Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which prohibits misleading advertisements of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs. This decision is related to a previous directive requiring self-declarations from advertisers before issuing advertisements. The court is also addressing concerns raised by the Indian Medical Association regarding a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a notification issued by the Ministry of Ayush, which omitted rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 that prohibits misleading advertisements of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.

A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta said the notification issued by the ministry was in the teeth of its May 7, 2024 order.

Clamping down on misleading advertisements, the apex court on May 7, 2024 had directed that before an advertisement is permitted to be issued, a self-declaration be obtained from the advertisers on the line of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.