SC Seeks Union, Kerala Govt's Response Over Distribution of 'Poisonous' Homeopathic Meds
The Wire Staff
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on July 18 sought the response of the Union Ayush ministry, the Kerala government and a central research body over the administration of a certain – allegedly poisonous – homeopathic medicine as a purported COVID-19 preventive measure.
LiveLaw has reported that a division bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice S.V. Bhatti asked the state government, Union ministry and the Central Council for Research Homoeopathy to file their replies in a petition filed by Dr Cyriac Abby Philips.
Ayush is an acronym that stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy. This ministry was founded during Modi's term as prime minister and has been criticised for its advocacy of unproven cures. The Wire has earlier analysed problems of Ayush's COVID-19 prevention advisories.
Philips has challenged the administration of the medicine 'Arsenic Album 30' to children and elderly people above 65, and also the guidelines, advisory and 'fact sheets' issued by the Ministry of Ayush permitting the administration of homeopathic medicine in various situations. He has noted in the plea that the Union ministry's guidelines meant that "highly poisonous carcinogens like arsenic became part of the homeopathic medicine prescribed by some of state governments like Kerala."
Philips' plea said that the decision by the Kerala government to mass distribute Arsenicum Album 30CH which contains "arsenic, king of all poisons, a metalloid and known carcinogen to school children, numbering anywhere between 38 lakh to 50 lakh students," was shocking. Six lakh such medicines have been distributed already, the plea said.
Senior Advocate Anand Grover said that homeopathic medicines were being distributed without any "basis" and without there having been any clinical studies. “The only study done by homeopathic experts shows it is not effective. They are not going by the drugs and cosmetics act, they are not carrying out clinical studies.” he stated. Grover also stressed that the Kerala government also needed to file a response.
Justice Bose noted that he also "sometimes take such medicines" but observed in contrary to the Union ministry's stand, that Arsenic Album is poisonous depending on the "level of dilution."
Philips has also sought to refer the matter to the Union government's COVID task force.
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