Blatant lie, falsely fabricated: IMA seeks health minister's response on Coronil

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed shock over the “blatant lie of WHO certification” for Patanjali’s Coronil tablet and demanded an explanation from Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in whose presence the medicine was launched.

A few days ago, the World Health Organization had clarified that it had neither reviewed nor certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19.

On February 19, Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved claimed that the Coronil tablet received certification from the Ayush Ministry as a medicine supporting COVID-19 treatment as per the World Health Organization’s certification scheme.

But later, Patanjali’s managing director Acharya Balkrishna said, “We want to clarify to avoid confusion that our WHO GMP compliant COPP certificate to Coronil is issued by DCGI, Government of India. It is clear that WHO do not approve or disapprove any drugs. WHO works for building a better, healthier future for people all over the world (sic).”

On Monday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said in a statement, “Being Health Minister of the country, how justified is it to release such falsely fabricated unscientific product to people of the whole country…can you clarify the time frame, time line 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 for seeking suo moto explanation for his blatant disrespect to the code of conduct of Medical Council of India…Indian Medical Association is shocked to note the blatant lie of WHO certification…,” it added.

Patanjali had introduced Ayurveda-based Coronil on June 23 last year, when the pandemic was at its peak. It had to face severe criticism as it lacked scientific evidence regarding its efficacy.