Campaign India Team
Feb 07, 2020

Government takes aim at fair-skin and sexual-performance ads

Ministry proposes rules amendments that include imprisonment for up to five years.

According to the act, medicines and magic remedies to cure 78 diseases cannot be advertised.
According to the act, medicines and magic remedies to cure 78 diseases cannot be advertised.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released an amendment to its Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954. 
 
The proposed changes would apply to advertisements for drugs, "magic remedies" and other products that look to promote growth of new hair, fair skin, sexual performance, brain capacity and improvement of memory, height and more. According to the act, products to cure 78 diseases (full list here), cannot be advertised. 
 
The amendments have been made to "keep pace with changing time and technology" and come on the back of concerns raised about the implementation and effectiveness of the act in its existing form.
 
The changes include a jail term of two years, or a fine up to Rs 10 lakhs for this first conviction.
 
In the case of subsequent convictions, the imprisonment term could extend to five years, or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakhs.
 
The ministry will be taking suggestions/comments and objections from the public for the next 45 days (effective 3 February).
 
 
Source:
Campaign India

Related Articles

Just Published

2 days ago

Jill Kramer to replace Raja Rajamannar as Mastercard...

Effective December 1, Rajamannar will step down after serving in the role for 12 years.

2 days ago

Publicis Groupe’s global chief production officer ...

Morris joined the holding company in January 2024.

2 days ago

Jaguar Land Rover shortens pitch list to three as ...

Accenture Song, Omnicom, Publicis and WPP have been battling for the account.

2 days ago

Omnicom now ‘confident’ IPG deal will close in ...

European Union is the last remaining jurisdiction where Omnicom is poised to win approval.