Regulator Orders GSK To Stop Sensodyne Advertisements In India; Know Why

New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare Ltd to discontinue advertisements of Sensodyne products in India.

India’s consumer protection regulator passed the order against GSK for flouting norms. According to CCPA, the ads showed dentists practising outside India while endorsing the products, PTI reported.

All advertisements of Sensodyne will have to be discontinued in India within seven days of issuance of the order.

According to regulations governing dentists in India, endorsement of any product or drug publicly is barred. CCPA said GSK Consumer Healthcare cannot be allowed to circumvent the law in force in India and show foreign dentists to exploit consumer apprehension towards tooth sensitivity.

“Therefore, advertisement of Sensodyne products in India which show endorsements by dentists practising outside India qualify as ‘misleading advertisement’ in terms of Section 2 (28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019,” the order stated.

Claims of ‘recommended by dentists worldwide’, ‘world’s No. 1 sensitivity toothpaste’ and ‘clinically proven relief, works in 60 seconds’ and documents submitted by GSK to support these claims will be probed by CCPA’s Director General (Investigation) and report will have to be submitted within 15 days.

A GSK Consumer Healthcare said in a statement: “We confirm the receipt of the order from the CCPA. While we are looking into it in detail, we would like to clarify that our marketing initiatives are compliant with the applicable laws and industry guidelines. We are a responsible and compliant company which is committed to the welfare of its consumers.”

Online shopping company slapped fine

CCPA has also passed an order against Naaptol Online Shopping Ltd for unfair trade practice, slapping a penalty of Rs 10 lakh.

CCPA passed an order asking Naaptol to discontinue advertisements like ‘Set of 2 Gold Jewellery’, ‘Magnetic Knee Support’ and ‘Acupressure Yoga Slippers’.