The Coronil tablet recently produced by the Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali group has become a controversial issue. It was stated that it is the cure for COVID-19. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, his cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari, Baba Ramdev and some promoters of Patanjali participated in a press conference recently, to announce the publication of a scientific journal to explain the efficacy of Coronil pill.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it has not endorsed the tablet. Indian Medical Association (IMA) has condemned the re-launch of this drug. The health department of Uttarakhand has clarified that Coronil is an amalgamation of certain herbs used by Ayurveda practitioners.
According to eminent scientists, Coronil can be used only as a supplementary measure like Vitamin and mineral tablets but not for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Indian Medical Association rightly asks – “If Coronil is a life-saving drug why was 35000 crores of rupees spent on vaccines?”
It is really shocking to find Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who is also an ENT surgeon, endorsing Coronil – when doctors are prohibited from promoting drugs of doubtful efficacy. Indian Medical Association now seeks an explanation from the Union Health Minister. The joint director of State licensing authority, Y.S. Rawat also says that Coronil can be used only as a supporting measure.
Was a research properly conducted? Was it tested by administering to COVID-19 patients? If so, what were the outcome and ultimate findings? How was Coronil certified as a pharmaceutical product? All these questions remain unanswered until we reach the bottom of the mess.
Indian Medical Association has requested all the dignitaries who attended the press conference to voluntarily come forward with moral responsibility and explain everything to the people of our nation.
