Hyderabad paediatrician quits IAP amid ORS labelling dispute with pharma firms
In a development that has stirred debate within medical and public health circles, Hyderabad-based paediatrician Sivaranjani Santosh has resigned from the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, alleging lack of institutional support during her legal battle with pharmaceutical companies over products marketed as oral rehydration solutions.
Santosh, who had been actively campaigning against what she described as misleading branding of certain food and beverage products as ORS, confirmed that she stepped down from the professional body a few days ago following differences and what she termed as “negative messaging” directed at her.
The controversy began after Santosh raised concerns on social media, questioning whether some commercially sold products labelled as ORS or “ORSL” adhere to medically approved formulations used to treat dehydration, particularly in children. Her posts drew legal notices from pharma companies, accusing her of defamation and alleging that her statements were motivated by commercial interests and social media visibility. The notices warned of legal action if she failed to remove the posts and refrain from further commentary.
Santosh, however, chose to contest the allegations and continued to defend her position publicly. According to sources familiar with the matter, she has since secured a favourable outcome in a legal dispute related to such products, a development that has strengthened her claims about misleading labelling practices.
She also raised objections to claims by certain companies suggesting that their products had received endorsement at paediatric conferences, and sought a formal response from the academy. However, she alleged that the IAP did not issue any condemnation of either the legal notices served on her or the purported endorsement claims.
The issue is rooted in a wider regulatory concern flagged by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which in October last year directed food business operators to stop using the term “ORS” in labelling and advertisements for products that do not meet prescribed standards, calling such practices misleading to consumers.
Santosh further stated that she had submitted reports to the Centre regarding cases of illness allegedly linked to the consumption of such products.
The Indian Academy of Paediatrics, a leading body representing child health specialists in the country, is known for issuing clinical guidelines, conducting academic programmes, and advocating best practices in paediatric care. Its stance on issues often carries weight in shaping medical opinion and policy.
Santosh’s resignation has now sparked a broader conversation on the responsibility of professional bodies to support doctors who raise public health concerns, especially when such concerns challenge established commercial interests.