Drug Dept awaits Central word on ayurveda ads ban

Kochi: Even as the publication of advertisements of ayurveda drugs in the state is set to be halted from March 22 with the new Central rules in this regard coming into force from the date, the State Drug Control Department says that it is in no position to allow Ayurvedic drug advertisements from the date as the drug rules are specific about it.

State Ayurveda Sidha Unani (ASU) deputy drug controller Dr T. D. Sreekumar told DC on Tuesday that the Drugs and Cosmetics (Eleventh Amendment) Rules 2018 are specific on the aspect. "Clause 170 Prohibition of Advertisement of ASU drugs sub-rule (1) stipulates that 'the manufacturer or his agent, of ASU drugs, shall not participate in the publication of any advertisement relating to any drug for the use of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease, disorder, syndrome or condition."

The sub-rule 2 says that "the ASU drug shall be advertised for the purpose other than specified in sub-rule (1) after the allotment of Unique Identification Number (UIN)."

Dr Sreekumar said that if the rules had prohibited only 'magic remedies' from the purview of advertisements, the task of State Drug Control Department for sanctioning permission for ads would have been easy.

 "As the rules stand now, we cannot give permission to ads which come under the purview of sub-rule (1). It is for the Central Government to clarify on the rules and we have approached the Central Government in this regard but are yet to get a reply."

When queried on the stipulation in sub-rule (8) that the State Licensing Authority shall process the application (if required, in consultation with the concerned technical experts) for advertisement for disposal within 30 days from the date of receipt of application along with complete information and shall allot UIN for the advertisement," Dr Sreekumar said that the department has only seven drug inspectors, who are burdened with other tasks.