New Delhi
The ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC), found 80 out of 133 advertisements to me misleading in nature. These advertisements include a large number of top pharmaceutical firms. A huge number of well known products ranging from hair care products to medicines were found to be making false promises and misleading the public Here’s a list of some of those violators and ASCI’s reasons for upholding complaints.
Emami Limited – Its advertisement claimed long lasting fairness. After the complaint, Emami has included a disclaimer. Henceforth, the line “Long Lasting Fairness” would have a disclaimer “on regular usage”, the company said.
Hindustan Unilever Ltd – Its advt. of Dove Hair Fall Rescue Shampoo with Nutrilock Actives was found to be misleading because ‘the consumer will believe Dove will also reduce natural hair fall’.
Johnson & Johnson – An advt. claims it has been making clinically proven mild products for more than 100 years.
Hindustan Unilever Ltd – For an advt. that claims 10x more skin care moisturizers.
Marico Ltd’s advertisement claims the product controls hair fall in 90 days.
Shree Maruti Herbal – For its commercial for STAY-ON Oral Liquid, which claims to be ‘Quick Acting’ with the tag ‘Get Charged for the intense pleasure’? This ad has breached the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.
Brand experts admit that advertisers use all kind of gimmicks to sell their products, but also feel that as a regulator, ASCI lacks teeth to enforce rules.
Talking to Medicare News, Professor (Dr.) Shailendra Singh, said that we the pharmacy professionals should spread the awareness among consumers and Govt. should be vigilant about such misleading claims and stringent punitive action must be taken to stop such menace.
