NEW DELHI/DEHRADUN: The Centre has sought details of the composition and the research related to the ayurvedic formulations launched by Patanjali as a cure for Covid 19- and also asked the firm owned by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev not to advertise the products till the issue is examined. Ramdev, along with his aide Acharya Balkrishna, on Tuesday launched Coronil tablet and Swasari in Haridwar claiming they are not immunity boosters but effective Covid cure.
The AYUSH Ministry in a statement said it does not yet know facts of the claim and details of the scientific study on which the product is based. Citing the provisions of Drugs and Magic Remedies Objectionable Advertisements Act, 1954 and rules that also cover ayurveda, the government asked Patanjali to stop publicising the medicine until the product details and research findings are verified.
The ministry cited a gazette notification issued in April that laid down the requirements and the manner of research on Covid-19 with Ayush interventions.
It has asked Patanjali for details such as composition of the medicine, sites where the study was conducted, protocol, sample size, institutional ethics committee clearance, Clinical Trial Registration of India registration and results data at the earliest. The Centre also asked the Uttarakhand licensing authority to provide copies of licence and product approval details.
Ramdev claimed that the medicine can cure Covid 19 within 3-7 days. “We are proud to present the first ever ayurvedic medicine for the viral infection the world is grappling with,” he announced. “The medicine has been prepared by the joint efforts of Patanjali Research Centre and NIMS University, Jaipur.”
Reacting to the order, Balkrishna tweeted, “This government encourages Ayurveda and works for its glory.... the Ayush ministry has been given all the information regarding the 100% fulfillment of all the standard parameters of Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial (of Coronil).”