Ref: ER/PRESS/‘03/SAM-DG

CERS exposes misleading claims of healthcare product company

In response to a complaint made by Consumer Education and Research Society(CERS), Ahmedabad, the Food and Drugs Control Commissioner, Gujarat State, has ordered Conybio Healthcare (India) Private Limited, Chennai, to stop publication and distribution of its pamphlets claiming that its products cure diabetes, blood pressure, parkinsonism, spondylitis, paralysis, piles, cancer etc. through Far Infrared Rays. The Commissioner in his jurisdiction has also ordered raids on the company, issuing of prohibitory orders and seizure of goods manufactured by it. One team of the firm also visited the office of the commissioner and was advised to stay away and abstain from issuing misleading advertisement in violation of statutory provisions.

The company distributed in the market sun shade to cure one from migraine and sun stroke, socks for acidity, pillow covers for spondylitis, palm guards for Parkinson’s disease, eye-shade for sinusitis, T-shirts for high, low blood pressure, short pants that cure gas, acidity, prostate, piles, urinary system problems, ladies briefs for menstrual problems, bed sheets for paralysis strokes and brassieres for breast cancer.

The Assistant Commissioner, Food and Drug Control Administration, Valsad had come across more than 30 such products of the company. He prohibited the sale of these products. The FDA ordered the manufacturers and stockists to stop distribution of the objectionable pamphlets and sale of the goods.

CERS had drawn notice of the Commissioner that the claims made by the company go against Schedule J of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, as well as Section 3 (d) of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

Based on a complaint from a reputed orthopaedic surgeon at Valsad, CERS wrote to Conybio Healthcare, on 19 April 2003, to send copies of efficacy studies done and results obtained with each of the product shown in its brochure. Subsequently it sent a complaint to the Commissioner, Food and Drug Control Administration, Gandhinagar on 22 April 2003.

The Commissioner has asked Conybio Healthcare to produce evidence to substantiate medical claims for its products and to provide scientific proof in support of the effect of Infrared Rays which it claims is present in its products. The company, through its representatives, has informed the commissioner that it had never undertaken such studies by any recognised Indian institute.

CERS had also sent a complaint to the Secretary General, the Advertising Standards Council of India, New Delhi. The matter is being vigorously pursued by CERS with the authorities concerned.

Date : 21/11/03
Place : Ahmedabad

Pritee Shah
Senior Director - CERC &
Editor
INSIGHT — The Consumer Magazine

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CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE
“Suraksha Sankool”, Thaltej, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway,
Ahmedabad- 380 054 (INDIA)
Phone: 079-7489945-46 Fax: 079-7489947
E-mail: cerc@wilnetonline.net

Web Site: http://www.cercindia.org
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