In a significant move to curb misleading medical claims, the Directorate of Health Services, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, has officially launched a Grievance Redressal Mechanism under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and its accompanying Rules of 1955. The initiative follows a directive from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, issued on April 1, 2025, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 645/2022 — IMA & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors.
The newly established mechanism is designed to handle complaints related to objectionable and deceptive advertisements promoting drugs and magic remedies. Citizens can now lodge grievances through multiple channels:
- Physical Submission: Office of the Deputy Director (Ayush)/State Licensing Authority (ASU), Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram
- Email: objectionableadvertisements.ani@gmail.com
- Toll-Free Number: 03192-232102 (Operational at G. B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram)
Each complaint will be addressed within a standard resolution period of 45 days. For unresolved cases, the Director of Health Services/State Drug Controller will serve as the first appellate authority, while the Secretary (Health), A & N Administration, will act as the second appellate authority.
The Health Department has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any misleading advertisements that exploit vulnerable consumers or promote unverified medical claims. This mechanism is part of a nationwide compliance effort to uphold ethical standards in medical advertising and protect public health.
