Coronil Controversy: DMA lashes out at IMA for defamatory comment on Health Minister

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-02-24T09:00:00+05:30 | Updated On 24 Feb 2021 9:00 AM IST

Coronil Controversy: DMA lashes out at IMA for defamatory comment on Health Minister

New Delhi: Condemning the statement given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) seeking an explanation from Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan for allegedly promoting Coronil as a COVID cure, the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has called the remark as " baseless, unauthorized and illegal."

DMA has clarified that to attend the launching ceremony of ayurvedic product which is evidence-based medicine is not unethical and not deceiving of the people of the country.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that IMA termed the claims of the Coronil drug having DCGI approval and WHO certification a 'blatant lie' and issued a statement seeking an explanation from Dr Harsh Vardhan for appearing to endorse the product. The association had also decided to write to National Medical Commission (NMC) for seeking suo Moto explanation from the Minister for " his blatant disrespect to the code of conduct of Medical Council of India", as according to the MCI Code of ethics no doctor can promote any secret medication with a trading name. IMA has also criticized Baba Ramdev's comment on modern medicines in which he allegedly branded it as "medical terrorism."

Also Read: IMA slams Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan over Patanjali Coronil claims

Condemning the IMA's take on the issue, DMA has recently issued a statement clarifying its stance on the matter and stated, " To raise such kind of issues and released statements against the Hon'ble Health Minister is just to divert the attention from the various problems faced by the medical fraternity during this pandemic. Dr. Harsh Vardhan is the Union Health Minister of Govt. of India and has right to any program."

DMA stated that the Union Health Minister has always advocated that Ayurveda and other traditional practices should be evolved further as evidence-based practices and different systems of medicine should be nurtured in a way that can complement each other, ultimately benefiting the people.

The association also focused on the fact that several other countries of southeast Asian regions, European regions, and countries like USA, Canada, Thailand, Africa are also using such alternative and complementary medications. The world recognized the alternative and complementary medicine and funding by various agencies and countries like NIH, NHS, European Union, China, Thailand, etc for fusion, combination as per the local needs, using appropriate technology. It is a valid and acceptable mode of treatment and recognized and acceptable by WHO also.

Commenting specifically on the Coronil controversy, the association stated, "Moving on to the drug CORONIL, itself the promoter of the drug claims to have attained the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) for the same from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). Any doubts or queries regarding facts related to CORONIL'S efficacy, trials, certification, etc should be taken up with the DCGI or Patanjali Research Institute."

Extending their support toward the Health Minister, the association stated, " Delhi Medical Association proudly applauds the outstanding work done by Dr. Harsh Vardhanduring Covid Pandemic by timely developing the required infrastructure, facilities and vaccination facilities which is being applauded by the whole world."

Agreeing with the association's take on the matter, the President of DMA, Dr. BB Wadhwa said, "The Hon'ble Health minister only attended the launch of an ayurvedic drug licensed by drug controller of India. He didn't promote the drug but only focussed on making Ayurveda scientific evidence-based medical system which can complement the other systems of medicine including the Modern system of Medicine."

Speaking to Medical Dialogues he added, " Health Minister is not only the minister of the modern discipline of medicines, but he is also the minister of all sorts of disciplines of medicines including Ayurveda. Hence, his presence in the launch of Ayurvedic medicine can not be questioned. If IMA despite being a national association of registered doctors makes slandering comments on the minister without analyzing the context properly, can we expect the the public will respect him and have faith?"

Dr Harsh VardhanDelhi Medical associationDMAIndian Medical AssociationIMAcoronilcontroversypatanjalicovid19

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.