According to the statements of the apex court, whenever IMA misuses its position to prescribe expensive medicines, it will need a closer examination for the same.
The Supreme Court also said that the IMA needs to "put its house in order".
"The IMA needs to put its house in order regarding alleged unethical acts of the organization where medicines are prescribed, which is expensive and unnecessary."
Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah
The co-founder of Patanjali, Baba Ramdev, and Managing Director, Balkrishna were present before the court.
They apologized to the Supreme Court for publishing misleading advertisements and Ramdev assured that he would "remain conscious about it in future."
The bench was informed that an apology was published in 67 newspapers after which the bench questioned Patanjali's advocate Mukul Rohatgi, whether the apology published was as big as their advertisements or not.
The advocate told the bench that the advertisement cost Rs 10 lakh.
The hearing was adjourned and Patanjali's advocate was asked to bring a copy of the apology advertisements and also directed not to publish misleading advertisements in the future.
"Do not enlarge them and supply it to us. We want to see the actual size. We want to see that when you issue an ad, it does not mean we have to see it by a microscope. It is not meant to be on paper but also read."
The Court's Division Bench
"We are not looking at the respondents (Patanjali) alone, the kind of coverage we have seen, now we are looking at all. We are looking at children, babies, women and no one can be taken for a ride and the government must wake up to this."
The Court's Division Bench
The court has asked the licensing authorities of all states and union territories to be brought up as parties in this case.
The bench told IMA that if they put one finger on Patanjali, four fingers were pointing back at them too.
"If IMA doctors are also endorsing medicines in the allopathic field, why should we not turn the beam at you (IMA)? Your IMA members are prescribing these medicines and endorsing such products."
The Court's division bench
The bench said that it is not here to "gun for a particular party". It is in the greatest interest of the public and consumers to know the truth about misleading health claims and what steps they can take against it.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Pragati Priya/MSM)
