Alarmed by the growing number of advertisements on 'miracle' drugs being shown on television channels, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has asked the ministry of information and broadcasting to lay down stipulations for private channels in this regard.
"There is a growing number of TV advertisements which promote wonder drugs like pills for curing obesity and memory enhancing drugs. Their veracity is not known and customers can be fooled. Therefore we have written to the ministry asking them to lay down stricter guidelines for the channels with regards to such ads," FDA commissioner A Ramakrishnan told PTI in Mumbai on Wednesday.
"Even though we take all precautions to ensure that harmful drugs do not enter the market, it is not possible for us to raid each and every place and keep a tab on every one. Channels have to be told about such malpractices and a directive by the ministry will go a long way in taking such products out of the market," Ramakrishnan said.
The FDA chief said initial discussions have already been held with I&B ministry secretary Navin Kumar Chawla on the issue and he has assured necessary action in the matter.