ASCI becomes member of Ayush committee

Mumbai : The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) on Monday said it has been inducted to the Ayush Ministry's empowered committee with an objective to control misleading advertisements and exaggerated claims of its drugs.

The seven-member committee of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has a representative from the Ministry itself, the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Corporate Affairs.

The constituted committee will be empowered to review and monitor the implementation of the provisions of The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 and Rules there under for curbing misleading advertisements of ayurveda, siddha, unani and homoeopathy drugs.

"The council has been closely working with AYUSH to ensure that Indian consumers are not exposed to false information and have access to safe drugs. We are confident that the new committee will act as a catalyst to the process of self-regulation in advertising, thus safeguarding consumers from deceptive advertisements that can negatively impact them," said ASCI Chairman Abanti Sankaranarayanan.

The meeting of the constituted committee will be convened on a six monthly basis or as and when required to review progress and make recommendations to accomplish their objective of controlling misleading advertisements.

The committee will also be authorised to make recommendations for regulatory action against misleading advertisements and advise the Central government for issuing any specific directions or advisories and for taking necessary steps, a statement added.