Licence for "Ayurvedic" AIDS drug cancelled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Sept 28: The State Drugs Controller has cancelled the licence of TA Majid of Kochi, who claims to treat AIDS with his Ayurvedic medicine "Immuno Cure". Over the past few years, Majid has been advertising his "cure" and manufacturing and selling the drugs in different parts of the country.

The Drugs Controller’s decision came after an experts’ report clarified that Majid’s drug could neither treat nor prevent AIDS. The report noted that there is no official authoritative book which prescribes a treatment for AIDS. In fact, of the 56 books on Ayurveda recognised under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act none has prescribed any treatment for the HIV virus, experts said. Majid operates from Fair Pharma at Ashoka Apartment, Marine Drive in Kochi. The Drugs Controller said that according to rules, the States where the advertisements appeared could start legal proceedings against Majid. The only problem may arise from the fact that the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act came into force in 1954, when AIDS was unheard of. Hence, the report pointed out that there are limitations when it comes to advertising drugs for AIDS.