The Supreme Court today heard the
Indian Medical Association's (IMA) plea against misleading advertisements and
claims targeting allopathic medicine, emphasizing strict compliance with Rule
170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
The Bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan reviewed the compliance status of Jharkhand, Karnataka,
Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Pondicherry, and Punjab. Senior Advocate Shadan
Farasat, acting as amicus curiae, pointed out discrepancies in the states'
responses.
Court took a strong stance against
Jharkhand’s claim that no manufacturers in the state had applied for permission
under Rule 170, directing the state to clarify whether any advertisements
violating Rule 170(2) were being published.
Court emphasized that it was the
state's duty to ensure compliance and ordered an affidavit to be filed.