Grievance Redressal Mechanism Now Active in Andaman & Nicobar Islands Below Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act

Tarun Karthick

Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 August 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, had earlier established a devoted Grievance Redressal Mechanism for dealing with complaints associated to objectionable commercials beneath 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 may be submitted bodily on the Office of the Deputy Director (Ayush)/State Licensing Authority (ASU), Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram. Alternatively, complaints may be emailed to objectionableadvertisements.ani@gmail.com or lodged through 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 about 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.