After months of launching their product Coronil, Patanjali is yet again in the news. Like another time, their first evidence-based medicine for COVID-19’ claim is again the centre of controversy but this time the World Health Organisation(WHO) was dragged.
To recollect, Yoga guru Ramdev had on Friday released a paper by Haridwar-based Patanjali Research Institute on Coronil, which it claimed to be the “first evidence-based ayurvedic medicine” against the coronavirus disease.
On a big poster on the dais behind the three were claims that the “medicine” was CoPP and WHO GMP certified – meaning it holds a certificate of pharmaceutical product (CoPP) and is recognised by the World Health Organisation’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Expressing shock over the statement, Indian Medical Association(IMA) has expressed shock over the claim made in the presence of Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. “If Coronil was effective for prevention, why was the government spending ₹ 35,000 crores for vaccination,” asked the IMA.
Besides which, WHO flung into action reacting to Patanjali’s claims. Taking to the official Twitter handle, Twitter stated that it had not reviewed or certified any traditional medicine to treat or prevent COVID-19. “@WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment #COVID19,” WHO South-East Asia tweeted.
