In a current turn of events, though ayurveda organization Patanjali- led by Yoga guru Ramdev has claimed that the medicine Coronil can be utilised for COVID-19, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh took to Twitter and mentioned that the state is not in favour of enabling Patanjali to sell Coronil, unless there is correct certification from well being organisations like IMA or WHO. According to the tweet, the IMA has also questioned the claims produced by Patanjali on clinical trials of Coronil drugs whereas, WHO has indirectly refuted the claims produced by the organization relating to Coronil’s effectiveness for Coronavirus therapy.
Deshmukh mentioned that the solution getting hurriedly launched and its endorsement by two senior Central Union Ministers “is highly deplorable.” He added that till a correct certification from competent well being organizations will not come, the drug sales will not be permitted in the state.
Why such controversy?
Recently, throughout a press meet, Patanjali claimed that the drug has received certification from AYUSH ministry and can be utilised as an immunity booster and a “supporting measure in Covid-19.” The press conference was also attended by Union Ministers like Nitin Gadkari and Harsh Vardhan exactly where Vardhan commented on how Ayurvedic goods have been developing post Coronavirus outbreak. Patanjali released a statement that day saying that Patanjali has received the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP). According to the statement, this permission has come from the Ayush section of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation which in turn is compliant with the WHO certification scheme. Further, the organization named it an “evidence-based medicine to fight Covid-19.” Apart from this, Patanjali mentioned it can export the drug to 158 nations beneath the CoPP.
The #IMA has questioned the mentioned ‘clinical trials’ of #Coronil & WHO refuted the false claims produced by #Patanjali Ayurveda for providing any certificate relating to its effectiveness for #Covid19 therapy. (1/2)
— ANIL DESHMUKH (@AnilDeshmukhNCP) February 23, 2021
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) indirectly distanced itself from the complete approval aspect. The organisation did not take in names, but the very same day tweeted that it has not reviewed or offered certification for any effectiveness of standard medicine when it comes to treating COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile, the organization clarified the certificate coming from the government of India and not WHO. It is to note that WHO checks that any medicine is getting sold immediately after its improvement beneath internationally recognised norms, suggestions and requirements. Apart from this, the organisation provides help to nations to stick to these suggestions but it does not approve or disapprove drugs per say.
A report by The IE noted that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday had criticised the blatant lie Panjali Ayurved produced of obtaining the WHO verification completed and consequently, has demanded an explanation from Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan as he has been noticed endorsing it. IMA mentioned that it is not justified for a Health Minister of a nation to market a solution (which can be noticed as a false and unethical way). He can also not release a solution which is “unscientific and falsely fabricated.”
The IMA has also sought clarifications relating to Coronil clinical trials and the complete process which was followed for the trials. Last year, as the organization mentioned, the trials had been profitable on patients displaying mild to moderate influence of COVID-19 infection. It also claimed that the recovery price was one hundred per cent in seven days only. However, at that point, the solution was just named an immunity booster by the government.