Admn to remove misleading advertisements in city

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 19

The district administration will remove all misleading advertisements making tall claims on “great” results in health, displayed at prominent places all over the city, before December end.

Confirming the development, district drug inspector Prabhdeep Singh said, “We have been instructed to remove all misleading display boards claiming unparalleled results in cases of baldness. There are certain boards asking girls to enroll for a magical face.”

The officer also mentioned display of certain boards claiming total treatment for cancer.

He said, “The tone and tenor of a number of advertisements is highly misleading. So, the department has decided to clean up all the boards displaying dubious information.”

The development follows a direction from the high command to the drug regulators asking them to ensure the implementation of Prohibition of Objectionable Advertisement Act and initiate a special campaign to remove any objectionable advertisement with respect to misleading claims of the drugs displayed at prominent public places.

Directing the officers to make sure that no objectionable material is highlighted in either the print media or electronic media through advertisements or any promotional messages, the department has sought ground results on the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Prohibition of Objectionable Advertisement) Act.

The district authorities have been asked to submit their reports before December 31.

Drug inspector Prabhdeep Singh said, “We have also been directed to keep a special watch on chemists and not allow any unethical practices.” He said the Zonal Licensing Authorities have been asked to initiate strict action against the retail sale of drugs by chemists where the pharmacist remains absent.