‘Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani drugs cannot put out ads for cancer, TB treatment’

Manufacturers of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs cannot claim treatment of cancer, TB, diabetes and infertility besides a number of other conditions, according to a proposed government law.

The AYUSH Ministry has come up with draft rules, which seek a ban on any advertisement by manufacturers of these drugs in relation to treatment of 37 conditions such as appendicitis, baldness and greying of hair, blindness, bust creams or breast development.

“Manufacturer of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs or his agent acting on his behalf shall not take any part in the publication of any advertisement referring to any drug in terms that suggest or calculate to lead to the use of that drug for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease, disorder or condition,” the draft rules said.

The other diseases, whose treatment manufacturers cannot advertise for are change of foetal sex, chikungunya, complexion or fairness, diabetes mellitus, dengue, height enhancement, HIV AIDS, sexual power, desire or performance enhancement amongst others. 

As per the draft rules, the manufacturers of the Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs “may” advertise the drug as per the contents recorded by the state licensing authority or drugs controller.