Show cause Notices Issued Against 3 Ayurvedic Companies in Kerala

Three Ayurvedic companies that assure miraculous remedies are now under the scanner of Kerala government. Referring the claims made by these companies as ‘dubious’, the government has seized products that are worth almost Rs 2 crore. The companies could even lose their licenses for alleged violation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act & Magic Remedies Act.

Among the companies that are under scanner are Dhathri Ayurveda Pvt Ltd and Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Medicines Pvt Ltd, against whom show cause notices have been issued, for misleading claims under section 33 E of the Drugs and Cosmetics act & section 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 for objectionable ads. The companies are liable to face a 3 year punishment, along with fine.

“These companies are putting many claims on the labels to attract consumers. For example, when the oil is only to treat skin diseases, they claim it is for whitening and stretch mark removal. It’s misleading. So under D&C Act we can proceed against them and cancel the licences of the products,” said CS Satheesh Kumar, Drugs Controller official. According to him, the big sharks whose licences are soon to be lost. The enforcement officials have conducted inspections at the manufacturing premises of Indulekha in Thalasseri and Kannur and of Dhatri in Moovattupuzha and Ernakulam. Steps are on to cancel their licences as per the law, said the DC.

The Kerala Drugs Control Department has also issued a warning to celebrities against the endorsement of these products as they are also liable to be prosecuted legally. The move comes following reception of complaints, which include those from various committees of state assembly. The department has also claimed that the specified companies have not submitted  any document proving their claims.The team of enforcement officials from various districts conducted operations in the depots of wholesalers and manufacturing premises in different places and the total value of the seized products is Rs.5,211,770. The manufacturing companies who were found violating the provisions of the Drugs & Magic Remedies Objectionable Act are Dhathri Ayurveda Pvt Ltd, Kochi, Cochin Ayurvedic Centre (Indulekha), Kochi and Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Medicines Pvt Ltd, Koothattukulam, said C S Satheeshkumar, Drugs Controller, Kerala.