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 dedicated Grievance Redressal Mechanism for handling complaints related to objectionable advertisements under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and its accompanying Rules of 1955.
To ensure efficient handling of such complaints, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have also been put in place. Citizens can now report misleading or inappropriate advertisements concerning drugs and magic remedies through the following modes:
Complaints can be submitted physically at the Office of the Deputy Director (Ayush)/State Licensing Authority (ASU), Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram. Alternatively, complaints can be emailed to objectionableadvertisements.ani@gmail.com or lodged via the toll-free number 03192-232102, operational at G. B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram.
As per the SOPs, the resolution timeline for complaints is set at 45 days from the date of receipt. In case grievances remain unresolved, the Director of Health Services / State Drug Controller will act as the First Appellate Authority, while the Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, has been designated as the Second Appellate Authority.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and promptly report any misleading advertisements related to drugs and magical remedies, contributing to public health safety and regulatory compliance.
