Yogis Ayurveda - YOGIS AYURVEDA

Recommendation: Upheld | Medium: Suo Motu - NAMS (TAMS)

The ASCI had approached the advertiser for its response in addressing the objections raised in the complaint. The advertiser was offered an option to seek an Informal Resolution (IR) of the complaint by modifying or withdrawing the claim in the advertisement, or alternately to substantiate the claim with supporting data. The advertiser was also offered an opportunity for a telecon with the ASCI Secretariat, which they did not avail and submitted their written response. The advertiser in their response stated that, “…. we are providing various solutions to our patients by providing them patent and classical ayurveda formulations and panchkarama therapies. We have provided successful solution to countless patients which is evident from pre and post result reports and their respective hand written testimonials. It is submitted that the relationship between a doctor and a patient is a fiduciary relationship as such we cannot share the personal and treatment details of our patients with your good office”. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) viewed the TV advertisement, considered the complaint and the advertiser’s response. The CCC observed that the claim being made refers to the treatment that effectively addresses a long standing problem (chronic weakness). The advertiser’s response has only assertions about their claim. The CCC discussed that the advertiser has not provided any clinical trials or studies that support the efficacy of the ayurvedic formulations and panchakarma therapies that they are using to treat their patients. They have also not provided details regarding the medicines used and their approval status by the regulatory authorities The CCC further discussed that there was no clinical evidence provided in the form of pre and post medical tests reports of their patients showing the before and after results of the treatment highlighting improvements in their symptoms or overall health. The advertiser has also not submitted data for success rate of their treatments by reporting that a certain percentage of patients experienced significant improvement after receiving their ayurvedic treatments or Panchakarma therapies. Regarding the handwritten testimonials of their patients mentioned by the advertiser in their response, the CCC noted that these testimonials were not provided with the patient's details, information about the specific health issue they were treated for, or any photographic or video evidence showing the patient's progress. In the absence of claim support data, the CCC concluded that the voice over claim (in Punjabi) as translated in English, “Successful solution to the chronic (old) weakness”, was not substantiated. The claim is misleading by exaggeration and is likely to lead to widespread disappointment in the minds of consumers. The said claim contravened Chapter I, Clauses 1.1, 1.4, and 1.5 of the ASCI Code. This complaint was UPHELD