The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has submitted the draft amendment to the Medicines and Paranormal Remedies, with a severe penalty of a prison duration of up to five years and a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh for publicity for magic remedies and medications favoring fair skin, improving sexual display, managing stammering, infertility in ladies, untimely aging and greying of hair amidst others.
The draft act has made some enhancements to the listing of diseases, ailments, conditions included in the Act. The Act states that drugs, “magic remedies” and products to preserve any of these 78 diseases, disorders, conditions named should not be advertised.
The new additions include ads for drugs for improving sexual performance and skin tone and treating premature aging, AIDS, greying of hair, stammering, sterility in women, etc.
Under the Act, the first sentence is condemned with the arrest of up to six months or penalty or both; and the following punishment can result in incarceration of up to a year or fine, or both.
The amendment aims to enhance the fines. For the first conviction, the recommended punishment is the isolation of up to two years and a penalty up to Rs 10 lakh. For the following conviction, the arrest may increase to five years with a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh.
The Ministry stated the bill is being made to keep moving with varying time and technology. It has been determined that ideas, comments, and objections from the people and stakeholders will be solicited. They may be delivered within 45 days from the date of issuance of this notice.
