The Uttarakhand government has taken action against Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali’s Divya Pharmacy, suspending licenses for at least 14 of its products.
The move follows closely on the heels of an apology issued by Baba Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna in newspapers, following a stern rebuke from the Supreme Court.
The suspended products, effective immediately, were listed earlier this month and include items like Swasari Gold, Mukta Vati Extra Power, and ‘Livamrit Advance’ among others.
The action was taken by the state’s drug licensing authority citing violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act and the Drugs and Cosmetic Act. The authority stated that the firm failed to provide the requested information about the products, and their defence explanation was deemed unsatisfactory.
The controversy surrounding Patanjali’s misleading ads gained traction during a contempt case hearing in April, where Ramdev and Balkrishna apologized to the Supreme Court. The apex court has requested a copy of these apology advertisements, with the case set for further hearing on April 30.
Indian Medical Association president Dr. R V Asokan criticized Ramdev’s actions, stating that he “crossed a red line” by claiming to cure Covid-19 and disparaging modern medicine as “stupid and bankrupt science”.
