The Supreme Court on 11 August 2025 dismissed the petition of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), seeking action against misleading advertisements related to traditional medicines. The case started when IMA moved the court against Patanjali Ayurved. In the petition, the IMA claimed that Patanjali’s advertisements were misleading and defaming modern medicine.
Ministry of AYUSH removed Rule 170
On July 1, 2024, the Ministry of AYUSH removed Rule 170 of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945. Under this rule, it was mandatory to get prior permission from the State Licensing Authority for advertising Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines. The challenge in stopping misleading claims was increased by removing this rule. However, in August 2024, the bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Sandeep Mehta in the Supreme Court banned the removal of Rule 170, which temporarily restored the need for permission.
Center cannot regenerate the rules removed by the Center- Supreme Court
Justice KV Vishwanathan questioned how the state can implement it when the Center has removed the rule. At the same time, Justice B.V. Nagaratna suggested the closure of the case, as the main reliefs sought by IMA had already been fulfilled. He said that the court cannot regenerate the rules removed by the Center.
In the earlier hearing, the court focused on Patanjali’s misleading advertisements, inaction of regulatory authorities and corrective steps with Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna. The Supreme Court had initiated contempt proceedings against Patanjali, which was closed after the company repeatedly apologized. The court also warned that banning advertisements and allowing Ayush drugs can increase improper business practices.