Doctor files complaint against misleading advt

AMRITSAR: A local doctor has approached the Advertising Standards Council of India against Emami Limited for its false and misleading claims regarding its product “Himani Navratna Hair Oil’ and Bollywood’s megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has been reiterating the company’s assurances through advertisements in print and electronic media.

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 27

A local doctor has approached the Advertising Standards Council of India against Emami Limited for its false and misleading claims regarding its product “Himani Navratna Hair Oil’ and Bollywood’s megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has been reiterating the company’s assurances through advertisements in print and electronic media.

In his complaint, Dr Amrit Lal Adhlakha has stated, “The company has been making tall claims regarding the hair oil, for providing instant relief from mental and physical stress, besides its related syndromes like fatigue, headache, tension, insomnia etc within two minutes of its application, which sans any scientific reason.”

He said it was sheer breach of the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

“The contravention of this Act is punishable with imprisonment of upto six months or fine, or both. Further, such claims are not substantiated by the company on the basis of product efficacy data. Thye are mere exaggerations to lure people to buy and use the said product,” he added.

“Being a doctor, I can guarantee that the hair oil in question has no such therapeutic qualities, which can give instant cool relief to a buyer from the problems as is being widely publicised through advertisement by the company with endorsement from famous celebrities. Equally responsible is Amitabh Bachchan. It is an established fact that the advertising by celebrities like Bachchan will encourage a large number of people to buy it,” he said.

“In fact, in case of body and healthcare products in particular, the celebrities are morally expected to personally use the product and satisfy themselves regarding results, before accepting any assignments for their advertisement,” he added.

Demanding an immediate ban on telecast of the advertisement, Dr Adhlakha said strict action should be taken against the company and Amitabh Bachchan for endorsing the brand.