IMA, Kent row deepens

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 23

The controversy surrounding the Indian Medical Association (IMA) promoting Kent Water Purifier seems to be never ending. Now, a press release issued by Kent Water Purifiers states that the IMA study gives thumbs up to Kent RO purifiers for its state-of-the-art multi-stage water filtration process. Although no quote of an IMA member has been used by the company, but they are using the reference of the study conducted by the IMA.

The issue was raised in May by the Punjab Medical Council. The Medical Council of India’s (MCI) code of ethics forbids doctors from endorsing any commercial products.

A letter written by the IMA Headquarters to the CMD of Kent RO system (the copy of which is with The Tribune) clearly mentions that the facts could be used along with IMA name for creating awareness about safe drinking water under IMA Kent Safe Water initiative under the ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ programme.

However, the local unit of the Indian Medical Association has even passed a resolution to not to endorse any product and had submitted it to the state body of the association.

This month only, the Punjab Medical Council (PMC) has demanded from the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) to take an action against Kent RO Purifiers for wrongfully using the reference of doctors for advertising their product.

Kent RO Purifiers advertisement said: “Their product is validated by doctors (Doctors dwara pramanit – in Hindi).”

The release issued to the press by the company states that a study conducted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on the different drinking water resources available has revealed that boiling was not a solution to purify drinking water as boiling does not remove the soluble impurities present in the water. The independent study conducted by the IMA to check the purity levels of boiled water, tap water and water which has been passed through Kent purifier’s RO+UV (Reverse Osmosis + Ultra-Violet) technology stated that, “Dangerous bacillus anthrax, tetanus, gas gangrene spores may not be killed by boiling water. Boiling can’t remove chemicals or heavy metal contaminants, however, a combination of RO+UV is better than each method of water purification alone.”

Dr GS Grewal, president of the PMC, said using the reference of the study for advertisement was also against the ethics of the IMA and should not be done. “We will be taking up the matter,” Dr Grewal said.

Officials clarify the doubts

Dr Ajit Singh Chawla, president of the local unit of IMA, said, “First of all, let me clarify that boiling water is safe for human consumption. Monsoon season is going on and everybody cannot afford a water purifier and boiled water is equally good and free from impurities. Secondly, IMA does not endorse any product and the local unit has already passed a resolution in this regard.”