Vidya Balan's ‘Tumhari Sulu’ lands in trouble for promoting cough syrup; FDA to issue notice
| Dec 4, 2017, 14:43 IST
The producer of Vidya Balan’s latest film ‘Tumhari Sulu’ and Chandigarh-based pharmaceutical company Torque will receive notices this week from the Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, for not issuing an advisory before advertising a cough syrup as part of movie promotions. Officials from Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) said a similar notice may be sent to Vidya Balan also, for promoting the cough syrup in advertisements through newspapers and electronic media channels.
FDA commissioner Pallavi Darade told to a leading news portal, “The movie campaign violated a basic norm - that of advising readers and audience to exercise caution while using the medicine. The notices point out that the advertisers have not warned the public against using the cough syrup without consulting their physician.”
“We are aware that Torque pharma is behind both these products. We will definitely check the contents of the syrup and issue notices based on the complaint,” Arjun Khadtare, FDA joint commissioner (drugs) said.
Vidya Balan’s advertisement in the film says, “Sulu ke har safar mein uska saathi, Torex cough syrup ho, toh alvida khashi.”
Following this Dr Tushar Jagtap, a medical activist was the first one to write to the FDA. He had written to FDA commissioner, citing how the wide advertising campaign promotes self-medication.
Mr. Vinod Bhanushali, President – Marketing, Media, Publishing and Music Acquisition, said, “We have nothing to do with the product it’s purely an integration in film promotion. The brand shall be answerable for any query.”
Stay tuned for more updates.
FDA commissioner Pallavi Darade told to a leading news portal, “The movie campaign violated a basic norm - that of advising readers and audience to exercise caution while using the medicine. The notices point out that the advertisers have not warned the public against using the cough syrup without consulting their physician.”
“We are aware that Torque pharma is behind both these products. We will definitely check the contents of the syrup and issue notices based on the complaint,” Arjun Khadtare, FDA joint commissioner (drugs) said.
Vidya Balan’s advertisement in the film says, “Sulu ke har safar mein uska saathi, Torex cough syrup ho, toh alvida khashi.”
Following this Dr Tushar Jagtap, a medical activist was the first one to write to the FDA. He had written to FDA commissioner, citing how the wide advertising campaign promotes self-medication.
Mr. Vinod Bhanushali, President – Marketing, Media, Publishing and Music Acquisition, said, “We have nothing to do with the product it’s purely an integration in film promotion. The brand shall be answerable for any query.”
Stay tuned for more updates.