Patanjali Ayurved

CoronaVirus Updates

IMA slams Harsh Vardhan for endorsing Patanjali's Coronil

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday came down heavily on Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for endorsing Patanjali's Coronil which was relaunched as treatment of Covid-19, a claim questioned by the World Health Organisation. "As per the code of the Medical Council of India, which binds the code of conduct of every modern medical doctor, no doctor can promote any drug. However, it is surprising that the health minister, who himself is a modern medicine doctor, was found promoting the drug," the association said. The IMA said that the false and fabricated projection of an unscientific medicine made in the presence of the country's health minister, later rejected by the WHO is a slap and insult to the whole nation. The association questioned the Union Health Minister's ethics as a physician and health minister of the country for making an appearance at the launch event organized by Ayurvedic drug firm Patanjali run by Yogaguru Ramdev. The association mentioned a clause under the National Medical commission (erstwhile MCI) which prohibits a physician from promoting a drug. "Under section 6:1:1, a physician shall not give to any person, whether for compensation or otherwise, any approval, recommendation, endorsement, certificate, report or statement with respect of any drug, medicine, with his name, signature, or photograph in any form or manner of advertising through any mode nor shall he boast of cases, operations, cures or remedies or permit the publication of report thereof through any mode," the IMA specified. The associations said that it will write to the NMC for seeking suo moto explanation for Harsh Vardhan's "blatant disrespect to the code of conduct of Medical council of India". In a grand launch event held on February 19, where Harsh Vardhan and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari were also present, Patanjali had billed Coronil tablets as the "first evidence-based medicine for COVID-19". In the event, Baba Ramdev, co-founder of the ayurvedic firm had claimed that the ayurvedic medicine has received certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), which was later denied by the UN body in an official tweet. At the launch event of Coronil, Patanjali said, "Coronil has received the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) from the Ayush section of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation as per the WHO certification scheme." Hours later, the WHO South-East Asia tweeted: "WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19". Now when the WHO rejected the claims, Patanjali's CEO Acharya Balkrishna made a clarification on Twitter. He wrote: "We want to clarify to avoid confusion that our WHO GMP compliant COPP certificate to Coronil is issued by DCGI, Government of India". Balkrishna also added that "WHO does not approve or disapprove of any drugs. Instead, it works for building a better and healthier future for people all over the world". (Agency)
CoronaVirus Updates

Patanjali releases research paper on Ayurvedic medicine against Covid

New Delhi- Ramdev, yoga guru and co-founder of Patanjali, on Friday released a scientific research paper prepared by the Patanjali Research Institute on the "first evidence-based ayurvedic medicine" against coronavirus named Coronil. The paper was launched in the presence of Union ministers Harsh Vardhan and Nitin Gadkari at an event organised by Patanjali. "Coronil has received the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) from the Ayush section of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation as per the WHO certification scheme," Patanjali said in a statement. Under CoPP, Coronil can now be exported to 158 countries. "Amid the global struggle to make Covid-19 vaccine, Patanjali Research Institute has accomplished to bring the first evidence based corona medicine through India's ancient medical system Ayurveda," the company added. Commenting on the development, Ramdev said the drug will help the humanity while providing affordable treatment based on naturopathy. "On the basis of presented data, the Ministry of Ayush has recognised the Coronil tablet as a medicine for supporting measures in Covid-19," he informed. The drug was first introduced by Patanjali in June 2020 with a claim to counter Covid-19, but ended up changing its label use to "immunity booster" after it failed to produce supporting evidence. Coronil was under scrutiny earlier due to lack of scientific evidence and trials that could determine its efficacy in combating the deadly virus that has claimed more than 156,000 lives in the country. Coronil was first advertised as a cure for the coronavirus infection. However, when the controversy erupted over its trial data and composition, the firm changed its licenced use from cure for corona to immunity booster. It had also received a notice from the Uttarakhand drug department. In its reply to the department, the firm clarified that it never claimed the drug to be a cure to coronavirus. Ramdev said that the aim of the research was to accredit the ancient Indian medical science globally by providing scientific evidence and fulfilling the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in healthcare. While praising the efforts of modern medicine which aided the highest recovery rate and the lowest case fatality rate in the country, he said that due credit must be given to Ayurveda medicines and yogic lifestyle which also assisted in keeping the damaging parameters of Covid-19 disease low. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan emphasised the need of using modern scientific tools to highlight the importance of Ayurveda at the international level. "Patanjali under the leadership of Acharyaji and Swamiji will help Ayurveda get the recognition it deserves at the international level," he said. The minister also cited the conversation between WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The global body is impressed with India's work in the field and would want to establish a global centre for Ayurveda in India," he said.. The minister also noted that Ayurveda's economic contribution to the country has significantly increased after the pandemic. "During the pre-Covid era, it (Ayurveda industry) used to contribute Rs 30,000 crore to the national economy with a growth rate of 15-20 per cent. This economy has risen by more than 50 per cent after the pandemic hit the world, with increased interest from FDIs as well," Harsh Vardhan said. (IANS)
Interviews

Ayurveda is my passion :

Dr. Yogeshwar Pawale , BAMS, MD (Masters in Ayurveda) & MS (Psychotherapy & Family Counselling) is a leading expert of Ayurveda specializing in Skin & Cancer. He is an educator, practitioner and speaker of international repute. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the field of Ayurveda involving various aspects of clinical, research, teaching and education. His passion and love for Ayurveda fuels his vision for the development and growth of Ayurveda in the Western word, including creating and implementing high quality education and training programs as well as practicing various aspects of Ayurveda for optimal health and wellbeing.  He is a rank holder of Kannur University during his Post Graduation studies. He has been awarded with many awards to name a few  Dhanwantri awards at New Delhi, Award for Excellence in Cancer . He can be reached at http://www.kalpataruayurved.com/ Please tell us about how your Ayurveda journey began. Please tell us about your educational background and professional qualifications. I am BAMS from N.K. Jabshetty Ayurvedic Medical College & PG Centre, Bidar, karnataka followed by my post-graduation from Government Ayurveda Medical College Kannur. Why did you choose Ayurvedic practices? Ayurveda is my passion; I have full faith in this science & during my studies I saw many patients getting cured so thought of starting pure ayurvedic practice only. What is your experience when it comes to treating patients? Do they trust the treatment? From the last 12 years of my practice & study period also it has been a great experience treating patients with Ayurveda. Yes, there were days when people used to have doubts on Ayurveda but it’s our duty to make them understand & trust in Ayurveda. After understanding patients follow all the advice with full faith. Any challenge that you face as a practitioner? Yes, starting practice was itself a challenge for me due to financial issues. Then got support from few of my well-wishers & started practice in the year 2007. Was there someone in your family already in Ayurveda, who acted as a motivation? Basically there was no one from the family, eventually I met a few people who acted as a motivational force like Prof.Kuldip Raj Kohli, Director AYUSH, Maharashtra & my PG guide Dr.John K. George. former HOD, Department of Roga-Nidana, GAC, Kannur, Kerala How do you see Ayurveda's future? Future of Ayurveda is definitely bright, the only concern of mine is we need to motivate our future generation to go for Ayurvedic practice only. What more should be done in Ayurveda today? Delivering standardized medicine, quality education is the need of the hour. There must be an Ayurveda OPD as well as few beds in every hospital across the country What about the quality of medicines? A lot of practitioners are not happy. Yes, earlier there was a challenge of getting quality Ayurveda medicines which are now resolved by NirogStreet. Coming to complex and chronic diseases, can Ayurveda really help? Yes, definitely, from past last almost 20 years I have seem various chronic patients like Cancer, Skin disorder, Infertility etc Ayurveda is working well in all such cases. Please tell us something about the achievements of your Center in Ayurveda. Kalpataru Ayurveda Chikitsalay(KAC) is a first Hospital in Pune with a well qualified doctors team engaged in the practice and propagation of Ayurveda, the ancient health care system of India. KAC offers classical Ayurvedic medicines and authentic Ayurvedic treatments and therapies to patients from all over India and abroad. Recently we have received Excellence award for treating Cancer patients. Do you think Nirogstreet is making a difference by connecting and empowering the Ayurveda community through its efforts and platforms? Yes, Definitely NirogStreet has made a huge difference in Ayurveda Sector. Earlier getting any literature online about Ayurveda was a challenge now it's easily accessible because of NirogStreet. Android application of Nirogstreet itself is a great contribution as doctors can discuss their cases & the young generation can learn a lot. Dr. Pawale, what are your hobbies? Reading is one of my passions & yoga. What's your advice to the students? I would like to advise students to be focused & start your practice as soon as you complete your degree with full faith in Ayurveda. Treating patients is the most pleasant thing you have in your life. What is your view about the role of ayurveda in COVID-19?  Ayurveda intervention is must in COVID-19, as far as I understand Ayurveda is only science which can help masess to boost their immunity as prevention. Application of various preventative aspects of Ayurveda based on its fundamental principles like Sadvrutta, Panchkarma,Dincharya,Rituchraya successfully empowers the person to fight against this virus. Read More► Never treat your own pathy low, Ayurveda is the only Science of Life: Dr. Kunal
CoronaVirus Updates

Patanjali chasing profits, exploiting people's fear: Madras HC

Chennai, Aug 6 (IANS) Coming down heavily on yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved Ltd for "chasing profits by exploiting people's fear and panic" to sell its immunity booster tablet Coronil, the Madras High Court on Thursday slapped a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on it.The court also refused to vacate the interim injunction restraining Patanjali from using the name Coronil for its tablet in a trade mark infringement case.The case was filed by city-based company Arudra Engineers Private Ltd that had registered the trademarks "Coronil-92 B and Coronil-213 SPL" in 1993 and holds rights over them till 2027.The company sells an anti-corrosion product - a chemical agent that undertakes to sanitise and clean heavy industrial machinery and containment units at factories.Apart from Patanjali, the other defendant in the case was Divya Yog Mandir Trust that makes the tablet.The court order came in the petition filed by Patanjali and Divya Yog to vacate the interim injunction against the use of the name Coronil for its tablet.The court said: "Insofar as costs are concerned, the defendants have repeatedly projected that they are Rs 10,000 crore company. However, they are still chasing further profits by exploiting the fear and panic among the general public by projecting a cure for the coronavirus, when actually their 'Coronil Tablet' is not a cure but rather an immunity booster for cough, cold and fever.""The defendants must realize that there are organisations which are helping the people in this critical period without seeking recognition and it would only be appropriate that they are made to pay costs to them," it ruled.The court ordered Patanjali and Divya Yog to pay jointly Rs 5 lakh each to the Dean, Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai and to the Dean, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College & Hospital, Chennai.In both the organisations, treatment are accorded free of cost without any claim to either trademark, trade name, patent or design, but only with service as a motto, the court said."Costs to be paid on or before 21.08.2020, and a memo in this regard, to be filed before the Registry, High Court Madras, on or before 25.08.2020," it ordered.--IANSvj/vd
CoronaVirus Updates

Can't register FIR against Patanjali claim: Delhi Police tells court

New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) The Delhi Police on Wednesday told a district court that an FIR could not be registered against Patanjali Ayurved Limited, Ramdev and others on the charge of cheating people by claiming a cure for Covid-19 due to jurisdictional and other issues.The Vasant Vihar police station SHO said this in an action-taken report filed in the court in response to a plea that sought court directions to register a case against Ramdev and others.Petitioner Tushar Anand had claimed that Ramdev and other persons "only had permission to make an immunity booster but they are making a false claim in the media that they have found a cure for Covid-19".In the report, Sub-Inspector Pankaj Kumar said: "As the alleged press conference by Baba Ramdev was organised at Haridwar in Uttarakhand, the same does not lie within the area or jurisdiction of Vasant Vihar police station, New Delhi. Hence, no action can be initiated by police of Vasant Vihar PS."It further submitted that an FIR under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code has already been registered at police station in Jyoti Nagar in Jaipur on the same grounds as levelled by the applicant in his complaint, refusing to register his complaint."It is also pertinent to mention here that the Ayush Ministry has allowed the sale of Patanjali's 'Coronil' as an immunity booster and not as a coronavirus cure. If there are allegations of violation of the guidelines of the Ayush Ministry, the complainant may approach the agency concerned," the status report added.The applicant had sought lodging of the FIR under Sections 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous), 420 (cheating) and 504 (intentionally insults with intent to provoke break of public peace) of the IPC and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Drugs and Magic Remedies Act in the matter."The accused have shown their mala-fide intentions, which are likely to spread infection that is dangerous to life by misrepresenting and alluring innocent consumers to buy the medicine with a belief of getting cured from the deadly Covid-19," the petitioner had averred.On June 23, Patanjali Ayurved launched 'Coronil' tablet and Swasari Vati medicine with the claim that these could cure Covid-19 within seven days. On July 1, the Ayush Ministry permitted Patanjali to sell Coronil as long as it was advertised as an immunity booster, and not a 'coronavirus cure'.--IANSaka/tsb
CoronaVirus Updates

Patanjali's COVID drug claim: FIR

Jaipur, June 27 (IANS) In another jolt to yoga guru Ramdev, an FIR has been lodged here against him, Patanjali Ayurved CEO Acharya Balkrishna and three others for allegedly making misleading claims that the herbal medicine company has found a cure for COVID-19 called Coronil.The complaint was filed at Jyoti Nagar police station in Jaipur on Friday.Avnish Parashar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), south, Jaipur, said: "Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, Balbir Singh Tomar, Anurag Tomar and Anurag Varshney, were booked under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, as per the FIR lodged by an advocate Balbir Jakhar."Two of the accused including Balbir Singh Tomar and Anurag Tomar, are the chairman and the director of the Jaipur-based NIMS University. The fifth accused, Varshney, is a scientist at Patanjali Ayurved.Jakhar said the accused have endangered the common people's lives by making false claims of finding a COVID-19 vaccine as they neither informed the Rajasthan government nor the Centre about the clinical trials of Coronil.Patanjali Ayurved, on Tuesday launched Coronil tablet and Swasari vati medicine claiming that they can cure COVID-19 within seven days.However, the AYUSH ministry expressed unawareness about the development and Patanjali was stopped from advertising the medicine within a few hours after its launch.Patanjali earlier also claimed that the two Ayurveda-based medicines have shown 100 per cent favourable results during clinical trials on COVID-19 patients except those on a life support system.The clinical trials were reportedly held in NIMS Jaipur.While Ramdev claimed making a thorough clinical case study on patients admitted at NIMS, its Chairman, B.S. Tomar on the other hand said, "No clinical trial in our hospital was made for the drug as there was no serious case of patients admitted. Only 100 asymptomatic patients in our hospital were given a few ayurvedic medicines under the Patanjali banner. We did not ask for medicine to cure coronavirus but had only these ayurvedic immunity boosters who helped recovery of asymptomatic cases faster by 35 per cent."--IANSarc/sdr/bg