29/05/2025
FDA and L. M. College of Pharmacy Host Workshop on Advertisement Rules and Drug Regulation Awareness
Ahmedabad, May 28, 2025:
A significant awareness workshop on “Advertisement Rules & Regulations” in the field of pharmaceuticals and Ayurveda was jointly organized by the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), Gandhinagar and L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad at the J. B. Auditorium, AMA, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The event aimed to equip industry professionals, academicians, and students with insights into the latest legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding drug and product advertisements in India.
The event commenced at 2:00 PM with the welcome address delivered by Dr.Mahesh T. Chhabria, Principal of L. M. College of Pharmacy. Dr. Mamta B. Shah, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacognosy, introduced the workshop and set the tone for the sessions ahead.
The highlight of the program was the inauguration of a dedicated Help Line for Advertisement Regulation, launched by Dr. H. G. Koshia, Commissioner, FDCA. This initiative is expected to provide much-needed guidance to stakeholders navigating the complexities of drug advertising compliance.
Mr. P. V. Gajera, Legal Officer, provided an insightful overview of the Supreme Court’s latest directions on advertisements, particularly focusing on misleading claims in healthcare promotion. Following this, Ms. Priyanka Shah, Technical Officer (Ayurveda), shed light on the recent amendments to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, outlining the scope of advertising prohibitions and the need for strict regulatory adherence. The sessions were chaired by Dr. Karuna Modi, who facilitated the industry-institution dialogue.
After a brief networking tea break, the program resumed with a session by Mr. Anand B. Mehta, Technical Officer (Ayurveda), who elaborated on the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, underlining the critical compliance expectations for Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical sectors.
The concluding keynote was delivered by Dr. K. J. Bhatt, Joint Commissioner (Ayurveda), who summarized the day's discussions and emphasized the need for ethical marketing practices that uphold public health and consumer trust.
The workshop concluded with an interactive panel discussion chaired by Dr. Mamta Shah, followed by a formal vote of thanks, marking the successful conclusion of an event that brought together regulators, legal experts, academia, and industry leaders under one roof to promote ethical advertising practices.