DHS Units Up Grievance Redressal Mechanism for Objectionable Advertisements Underneath ‘Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954’

Tarun Karthick

Sri Vijaya Puram, 27 June 2025

In compliance with a directive from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dated 1st April 2025 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 645/2022 (IMA & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors.), the Directorate of Health Services, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, has established a devoted Grievance Redressal Mechanism for dealing with complaints associated to objectionable commercials below the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and its accompanying Rules of 1955.

To guarantee environment friendly dealing with of such complaints, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have additionally been put in place. Citizens can now report deceptive or inappropriate commercials regarding medicine and magic cures by the next modes:

Complaints will be submitted bodily on the Office of the Deputy Director (Ayush)/State Licensing Authority (ASU), Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram. Alternatively, complaints will be emailed to objectionableadvertisements.ani@gmail.com or lodged by way of the toll-free quantity 03192-232102, operational at G. B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram.

As per the SOPs, the decision timeline for complaints is ready at 45 days from the date of receipt. In case grievances stay unresolved, the Director of Health Services / State Drug Controller will act because the First Appellate Authority, whereas the Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, has been designated because the Second Appellate Authority.

The public has been urged to stay vigilant and promptly report any deceptive commercials associated to medicine and magical cures, contributing to public well being security and regulatory compliance.