KATHMANDU, Jan 29: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) will take strict action against the sale and distribution of unregistered vitamins and minerals. Issuing a statement today, the ministry warned against such illegal practices and emphasized that authorities would slap severe punishment on those involved in the illicit activities.
Section 45(2) of the Public Health Service Act 2018 prohibits advertising materials or services that negatively affect mental and physical health through misleading or deceptive information. The MoHP has directed all health institutions to comply with the law and take legal action against those spreading false or misleading advertisements.
"The ministry drew attention to the sale and distribution of unregistered vitamins and minerals in the form of pharmaceutical preparations (tablets, capsules, syrups) under the name of nutraceuticals in medicine stores. It also highlighted the promotion of false and misleading advertisements by various health institutions, which operate materials and services to attract the general public without approval," the statement said.
Ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki said that, in response to public complaints and ongoing monitoring efforts, officials conducted the inspection of more than three thousand pharmacies annually and filed around a hundred cases in district courts. He said, "We do not register nutraceuticals as medicines nor grant permission for their sale and distribution, and we regularly confiscate such products and take action against them."
Spokesperson Budhathoki stated that if such activities are found, individuals can file complaints by calling the Ministry's Hello Health Call Center at 1115 from 8 am. to 8 pm, or by visiting the Ministry's website or sending e-mails.