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In a decisive move, the Supreme Court has cracked down on misleading advertisements by imposing strict conditions on print and electronic media. Advertisers are now required to furnish a self-declaration before airing or publishing any advertisement. The court has mandated that no advertisement shall be disseminated without this self-declaration, and channels must broadcast the self-declaration alongside the advertisement.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has demanded data from the Health Ministry regarding actions taken on complaints received by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Warning against the sale of products whose licenses have been suspended, the court emphasized the necessity of giving notice before such sales.
Furthermore, the court has refused oral requests for exemption from personal appearances of Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna in the next hearing, affirming that exemptions granted were only for specific dates and must be formally requested for future hearings.
A notice has been issued to Indian Medical Association President Ashokan, with a deadline to file a reply by May 14. The court will reconvene on the matter on this date.
An affidavit filed by the AYUSH Ministry of the Central Government revealed that since 2018, 36,040 complaints have been registered, with action taken against 354 misleading advertisements. Rajasthan saw the highest number of actions against misleading advertisements, while Tamil Nadu registered the most complaints.
This development comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s stance that the issue of misleading advertisements extends beyond one institution. The court has questioned the actions to be taken against companies endangering public health through such advertisements. The Indian Medical Association faced scrutiny regarding the prescription of expensive medicines by allopathy doctors, prompting inquiries into the existence of rules for canceling the registration of doctors who knowingly prescribe costly medications.
Central ministries and officials have been directed to take decisive action against fast-moving consumer goods companies engaged in false campaigns.
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