The Indian Medical Association on Monday expressed shock and dismay at what it called is a “blatant lie of WHO certification” for Patanjali’s Coronil tablet, which the company said can be used to fight the COVID-19. It has also demanded an explanation from Health Minister Harsh Vardhan about his presence at the event where Coronil was launched last week.
The Association’s two-page note comes after World Health Organisation clarified that “it has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19”.
On Friday last, Ramdev launched the product in the presence of Mr. Vardhan and Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The IMA said it was shocked to note the “blatant lie” of certification for a “secret medicine” launched in the presence of the Health Minister, who is a doctor as well. The country “needs an explanation” from him, it said in a statement.
“This claim is a blatant deceiving of the people of the country. The Association will write to National Medical Commission for seeking suo motu explanation for his blatant disrespect to the code of conduct.”
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It has asked the Health Minister: “How appropriate and rational is it to release such false projections in front of the whole country? Being a Health Minister of the country, how justified is it to release such falsely fabricated unscientific product? How ethical is it to promote the product in unethical, wrong and false ways to the whole country? Being a modern medicine doctor, how ethical is it to promote the unscientific product.”
It said if Coronil was effective, why was the government spending ₹35,000 crore for vaccination?
Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishna put out a clarification shortly before the WHO tweet.
“We want to clarify to avoid confusion that our WHO Good Manufacturing Practices compliant COPP certificate to Coronil is issued by the Drugs Controller General of India, Government of India. It is clear that WHO does not approve or disapprove any drugs. WHO works for building a better, healthier future for people all over the world,” he said.
The AYUSH Ministry had earlier said Coronil can be sold only as an immunity-booster and not as a cure.
