False Ayurveda ads: I&B ministry comes down heavily on TV channels
The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has, in a strongly worded advisory to television channels this week, come down hard on advertisements for herbal, ayurvedic, unani and homoeopathic products that are not licensed by the Ministry of Ayush.
The advisory, issued by Amit Katoch, director, broadcasting, I&B ministry, has asked TV channels to take note of these ads and desist from permitting those which promote unlicensed products to avoid being penalised under the Drug and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Ads) Act, 1954, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The move comes as channels across the board from news to general entertainment, music and movies telecast half-hour to one-hour advertorials promoting these products, mainly during non-prime time hours, as interest among consumers for them grows due to the herbal revolution the country is seeing. Teleshopping channels, on the other hand, run these advertorials through the day, ad and media industry sources say, prompting the I&B ministry to look into the matter seriously. WARNING:
Information and Broadcasting Ministry issues advisory asking TV channels not to telecast misleading ayurvedic, herbal or homoeopathic ads
Most channels carry advertorials promoting these products during nonprime time hours
The problem with teleshopping channels is particularly acute as they telecast these ads all through the day
Ministry has warned of strong action for non-compliance.
Article source by: Business Standard