When I got a Facebook notification related to the inauguration of Patanjali’s Coronil in the presence of two central Ministers, I was surprised. This is because last year, Ramdev claimed that his company has been able to find a medication for Covid 19 after much ‘research’ and ‘testing’ on the patients. But later the Ministry of Ayush in the month of June, declined to give him permission to claim it had a vaccine for Corona.

According to a report published in The Hindu, Ramdev says that the daily demand for Coronil is 10 lakh packs a day, but Patanjali is unable to fulfil that as it can only supply one lakh packs a day. Now the question is how can such a product be allowed to be sold in the market?

We all know that Ramdev is using religion and yoga to promote the dubious business, and this government has been more than happy to promote him. Basically, they compliment each other. While one can ignore the other things related to Patanjali which makes tall claims, it is criminal to ignore, promote or encourage senseless or fake claims related to cure of Corona when scientists world over are grappling with it and when the world is fighting against one of the most lethal diseases which threatens humanity.

The shameless and thuggish way that he claimed, in the presence of two ministers, that Coronil has got approval and clearance from the World Health Organisation shocked me! I felt that this government might have used its influence on WHO and probably that is why these Ministers are here. It was shocking to hear and what was a blunder was the presence of the Health Minister who did not utter a word that Coronil is not a treatment or medication to cure Covid 19. Ramdev claiming things in the presence of two ministers and their approval to what he said, suggested that politicians are ready to lose international credibility for the sake of domestic constituencies.

The two ministers, Nitin Gadkari and Harsh Vardhan, became party to a fraud by Patanjali which shamelessly dragged the name of World Health Organisation. Ramdev and his company have flouted rules and regulations without any fear as they know that the ruling party is more than happy to promote and encourage him. This is the best example of how crony capitalism functions and what is the outcome when capitalism and religion mix together.

The Hindutva propaganda media was more than eager to jump on the fallacy of Ramdev Covid vaccination claim. These rogues actually are endangering the lives of millions of people by actively participating in fake news. For their fake nationalism, they are ready to use the fake news without ever checking its credentials. Unfortunately, when the Union Health Minister participates in it then it is seriously the issue of propriety and ethics. Both the Ministers must explain what prompted them to go to participate in the programme launched by Ramdev and why they allowed themselves to be used by him.

Ramdev’s fake claims have been rejected by the World Health Organisation. It is surprising for all as to why WHO should give authorisation or certification, but WHO today has become what NASA used to be once upon a time. We must not ignore that once a boy from Balia was congratulated in the UP Assembly in the year 2005 for topping ‘International scientist Discovery’ conducted by NASA which later found out to be fake news. It is important to know how and why these fake news look ‘real’ and the answer lies in our ‘attempt’ to look the ‘best’ and ‘most outstanding’. I know we all love to be famed people, achievable and omnipresent and omnipotent yet there are realities whether we really deserve it without working harder.

It is good that the World Health Organisation issued a clarification that it has not given any certification to Patanjali research. Actually, all the TV channels who have been imposing the thuggish Patanjali on us need to explain their conduct. The shouting brigade of Sharmas, Chaudhries, Chaurasias, Dubeys, Tripathis, Devgans must be asked to explain their shameless behavior and being party to defame our country and dupe the people for buying a fake vaccine.

Indian Medical Association has sought clarification from Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan. IMA is rightly shocked and we are happy that it showed some spine at the moment when the Minister who himself is a well known doctor is seen in promoting a product which is neither certified nor scientific. IMA said, “Being the Health Minister of the country, how justified is it to release such falsely fabricated unscientific products to people of the whole country…can you clarify the time frame, timeline for the so-called clinical trial of this said anti-corona product?”

“The country needs an explanation from the minister. The Indian Medical Association will also write to National Medical Commission seeking suo moto explanation for his blatant disrespect to the code of conduct of Medical Council of India,” the IMA said.

We demand a ban on Patanjali products for persistently spreading fake and malicious propaganda regarding its product and violating all the business and medical ethics. The government must investigate the Patanjali products as well as its commercial practices to find whether or not they violate norms and ethics? The two ministers M/s Nitin Gadakari and Dr Harshvardhan must explain their presence at the ceremony and should completely dissociate themselves with such unethical behaviour. Let us see whether the two ministers have the courage and conviction to do so?

Related:

IMA questions Health Minister’s support to Ramdev’s Coronil

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The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a strongly worded press Release expressing its utter disbelief that a blatant lie was peddled by Patanjali about ‘Coronil’ being certified medicine, in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan.

Baba Ramdev, founder of Patanjali launched ‘Coronil’ which he claims is the first evidence-based medicine for Covid-19 and that it can be used for prevention, treatment of Covid-19 and in the post-phase treatment as well. As per IMA, he also claimed at the press conference in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan that ‘Coronil’ has gotten approval from Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) as well as been certified by the World Health organization (WHO).

The WHO on the other hand clarified that it has not reviewed or certified “any traditional medicine” for treatment of Covid-19.

.@WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment #COVID19.

— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) February 19, 2021

“The said false and fabricated projection of an unscientific medicine by the Health Minister to the entire country and being rejected by WHO is a slap and insult to the people of the country. This is a blatant deceiving of the people of the country,” the statement reads.

The statement released by Patanjali reads, “Coronil has received the certificate of pharmaceutical product (COPP) from the AYUSH section of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization as per the WHO certification scheme”. The launch event was also attended by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari along side Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

The statement cites the code of conduct under Medical Council of India Act which states that no doctor can promote any drug with his name, photograph or any manner of advertising. The IMA states that it is surprised that the Minister himself who is a modern medicine doctor by qualification is promoting a drug.

The IMA questions if Coronil is effective for prevention then why is the government spending 35,000 crores for vaccination? The IMA has questioned the false projections, release of falsely fabricated and unscientific product and promotion of the same in an unethical manner by the Health Minister. It also asks about details of the clinical trials conducted to determine the efficacy of this medicine.

The country needs an explanation from the Hon’ble Minister, IMA said. It said that it respects Ayurveda and it should not be adulterated on pretext of market gain for some monopoly corporate.

Last year in July, Patanjali had claimed that Coronil could provide strong protection against COVID-19 but the AYUSH Ministry had issued a clarification that it can only be used as an immunity booster.

The statement may be read here:

IMA HQs Press Release on Health Minister – February 22, 2021 pic.twitter.com/72DWWs90KG

— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) February 22, 2021

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